We have a beginner. A 3 weeks of experience beginner. She is planning on going to the Nutmeg Workshop and Evening Social. I received a list of formations she has been taught and I decided, given the reports, that she could handle some heavy duty dances. Wipe my brow and sigh (in relief). She could and did.
She is, simply put, magnificent.
The dances (and there were only four):-
The Findlays' Jig - (32 J 3) - Goldring
The Chicago Loop - (32 R 3) - Kent Smith
Miss Florence Adams - (32 S 3) - Bk 38 (Drewry)
The Scallywag - (40 J 3) - Bk 52 (Kelly)
The Findlays' Jig:- Nice, simple, good warm up, and a good way to assess basic timing.
The Chicago Loop:- Another simple dance, one where dancers have opportunities to take unauthorized trips to Paris.
Miss Florence Adams:- I like it. I always have. And with Set & Link, with variations, and a variant Corners Pass & Turn - a great dance for a superbly competent beginner and for me because I got to reteach the standard figures, with variations, from bar 1, and the know-it-alls (and we all have some) couldn't complain and got the necessary review.
I taught standard S&L with neighbor on the sides. I then taught Set & cross Link (change of orientation). Then S&L all facing up; all facing down; and again - this time all start facing up, end the link facing down and cross link to end on the sides. And finally, after revealing that they had all learned 2C's and 3C's parts, as in the dance- 2C facing down, 3C facing up and 1C facing up, then down, and ending facing 2nd corners. It worked.
Similarly I taught a standard corners pass & turn with 1st corners, then 2nd corners. Then posed the question: What changes if we start the formation facing 2nd corners? 1C has to turn RH to face 1st corners.
Threw them into the dance. They did it. All of them. Well.
The Scallywag:- Except for the setting piece it is more or less a straight forward dance. They got it, and called for an encore.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
22 October 2018_Scotia
This class was all of two days after the NY Branch's Jeannie Carmichael Ball. I wasn't about to start stressing, either myself or the class, about the Brooklyn class' upcoming Drewry Night program. This was a 'anything but' class.
The dances I taught were:
Davy Nick Nack - (32 H 3) - Campbell
The Lea Rig - (32 S 2) - Bk 21/5
The City of Stirling Reel - (32 R 3) - Goldring
A Reel for Allice - (32 R 5) - Goldring
One Set Short of a Hundred - (32 S 3/3L) - Paris Bk.
The Scallywag - (40 J 3) - Bk 52 (Kelly)
Deil Amang the Tailors - (32 R 3) - Bk 14
– :: –– :: –– :: –– :: –– :: :: –– :: –– :: –– :: –– :: –
Davy Nick Nack:- Why? Because the corner changes are HALF TURNS!! and nobody dances them that way unless they are hit with a 2x4 to get their attention. Muscle memory! Feh!
The main fig. opens with a nice big wide open turn 1+1/2 in 4 bars, a cast and a short turn to 1st corners - Then the dance cries out for nice big wide strong turns (just 1/2 way) to change the corners in, change the corners out and for the ones to turn to face 2nd corners.
I hear the cry. Am I the only one?
The Lea Rig:- because it has been decades since it was a common dance. And the music is… classic.
Yes Virginia, it should come back as a std. repertoire piece. But please not every week!
The City of Stirling Reel:- A new intake on NY Branch's dance list. I needed to learn it as it was new to me (too). What is nice here? Well, a snowball chain in QT, abbreviated snake passes - not shortened but for 4 dancers in place of 6. It's a Goldring so how bad could it be.
A Reel for Alice:- Because I like it! I just adore the double capstan move, and the question: Can you make eye contact?
One Set Short of a Hundred:- A sweet simple thing. Contains a diamond poussette (👍) and a tourbillon (👍👍). Did I say simple? I think I did. Well, the world might as well learn 'em 'cause they are going to see them for the rest of their days.
The Scallywag:- This one is a gem!! In a platinum setting. In fact the whole of Book 52 is a gem. I found this dance just a wee bit daunting at first (even second) reading but it eases beautifully with even a touch of familiarity. The only thing I had to work out was the setting figure for 1C in the final 8 bars. I found some who could (and loved it) and some who were just confused: left? right? ??
This one went into my list of top 50 Jigs. Currently sitting at #50 out of 57 - but only because the list is alphabetical.
Deil Amang the Tailors:- not because they needed to learn it, because I needed a simple well known closer.
The dances I taught were:
Davy Nick Nack - (32 H 3) - Campbell
The Lea Rig - (32 S 2) - Bk 21/5
The City of Stirling Reel - (32 R 3) - Goldring
A Reel for Allice - (32 R 5) - Goldring
One Set Short of a Hundred - (32 S 3/3L) - Paris Bk.
The Scallywag - (40 J 3) - Bk 52 (Kelly)
Deil Amang the Tailors - (32 R 3) - Bk 14
– :: –– :: –– :: –– :: –– :: :: –– :: –– :: –– :: –– :: –
Davy Nick Nack:- Why? Because the corner changes are HALF TURNS!! and nobody dances them that way unless they are hit with a 2x4 to get their attention. Muscle memory! Feh!
The main fig. opens with a nice big wide open turn 1+1/2 in 4 bars, a cast and a short turn to 1st corners - Then the dance cries out for nice big wide strong turns (just 1/2 way) to change the corners in, change the corners out and for the ones to turn to face 2nd corners.
I hear the cry. Am I the only one?
The Lea Rig:- because it has been decades since it was a common dance. And the music is… classic.
Yes Virginia, it should come back as a std. repertoire piece. But please not every week!
The City of Stirling Reel:- A new intake on NY Branch's dance list. I needed to learn it as it was new to me (too). What is nice here? Well, a snowball chain in QT, abbreviated snake passes - not shortened but for 4 dancers in place of 6. It's a Goldring so how bad could it be.
A Reel for Alice:- Because I like it! I just adore the double capstan move, and the question: Can you make eye contact?
One Set Short of a Hundred:- A sweet simple thing. Contains a diamond poussette (👍) and a tourbillon (👍👍). Did I say simple? I think I did. Well, the world might as well learn 'em 'cause they are going to see them for the rest of their days.
The Scallywag:- This one is a gem!! In a platinum setting. In fact the whole of Book 52 is a gem. I found this dance just a wee bit daunting at first (even second) reading but it eases beautifully with even a touch of familiarity. The only thing I had to work out was the setting figure for 1C in the final 8 bars. I found some who could (and loved it) and some who were just confused: left? right? ??
This one went into my list of top 50 Jigs. Currently sitting at #50 out of 57 - but only because the list is alphabetical.
Deil Amang the Tailors:- not because they needed to learn it, because I needed a simple well known closer.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
15 October 2018 – Scotia
This week we mostly prepped our own Halloween Party.
Program.
The dances we did were:
The Cup-of-Gold Vine - (32 J 3) - Sigg/California Gold
Glastonbury Tor - (32 R 3) - Bk 47/11
Dancin' Witches - (32 J 3) - Dragonfly (E. Werner)
Insomnia - (32 S 2) - Dragonfly (J. Montes)
Pinewoods Reel - (32 R 3) - JB Dickson
Chris Ronald's Strathspey - (32 S 3) - Wallace
<<< ___ <<<---->>> ___ <<<---->>> ___ <<<---->>> ___ >>>
The Cup-of-Gold Vine:- Simple, suitable for beginners, pleasing.
Glastonbury Tor:- Zesty! It moves and it gets a thumbs up.
Dancin' Witches:- Another good moderate intermediate dance. Good lead tune - The Sailor's Wife.
Insomnia:- Yet another good, moderate dance that everybody should know. The only even slightly outside the box figure is the Knot which might not yet have been taught to some beginners. And since most intermediate dancers would know that figure the dance is made up of known figures - so it should be a talk through the park.
Chris Ronald's Strathspey:- Devised by Ron Wallace so what could be bad? Two thumbs up (but I am prejudiced as you know).
Program.
The dances we did were:
The Cup-of-Gold Vine - (32 J 3) - Sigg/California Gold
Glastonbury Tor - (32 R 3) - Bk 47/11
Dancin' Witches - (32 J 3) - Dragonfly (E. Werner)
Insomnia - (32 S 2) - Dragonfly (J. Montes)
Pinewoods Reel - (32 R 3) - JB Dickson
Chris Ronald's Strathspey - (32 S 3) - Wallace
<<< ___ <<<---->>> ___ <<<---->>> ___ <<<---->>> ___ >>>
The Cup-of-Gold Vine:- Simple, suitable for beginners, pleasing.
Glastonbury Tor:- Zesty! It moves and it gets a thumbs up.
Dancin' Witches:- Another good moderate intermediate dance. Good lead tune - The Sailor's Wife.
Insomnia:- Yet another good, moderate dance that everybody should know. The only even slightly outside the box figure is the Knot which might not yet have been taught to some beginners. And since most intermediate dancers would know that figure the dance is made up of known figures - so it should be a talk through the park.
Chris Ronald's Strathspey:- Devised by Ron Wallace so what could be bad? Two thumbs up (but I am prejudiced as you know).
Saturday, November 3, 2018
8 October 2018 – Scotia
The dances taught were:-
New Year Jig - (32 J 3) - Bk 51
An Autumn Posy - (32 S 2) - Butterfield
Lucy Campbell - (32 R 2) - Bk 17
Ruby Wilkinson's Farewell - (32 S 4) - Bk 52
MacLeod's Fancy - (32 J 4) - Bk 33 (Drewry)
- - - ^-^ - - - ^-^ - - - ^-^ - - ^ - - ^-^ - - - ^-^ - - - ^-^ - - -
New Year Jig:- This one is just popping out of the woodwork. From not even the radar to ubiquitous.
Easy Peasy flow, 1st woman never faces her partner but begins and ends every figure facing out. Eye contact challenged dancers have to work at it. Nice dance for opening and warming up. But I would be careful to avoid over doing this dance, which would be easy to do.
An Autumn Posy:- I call it a Xiowen special - she taught it, thereby bringing it to our attention, and it is catching on. I initially had issues with it. It is a very simple dance and that requires clean precise dancing which we don't get often enough for my taste. But the more we do it the better the dancers are doing. Yay! There must be a tune out there that fits this dance like a glove but I haven't found it. I am looking.
Lucy Campbell:- Something Society and something different… I had never encountered it before Sandra proposed it for there Kilts and Ghillies Tea Dance and I do mean never. I don't remember ever looking at. I certainly never had it taught to me and it is different enough I would remember it.
A variant RHA LHA - into a slipping figure with some traveling pas de basque that somewhat resembles a poussette, then a fugal figure into the final figure to progress.
MacLeod's Fancy:- On the Brooklyn class' Drewry Night program. For the eighth straight year in a row, and the 13th time in 19. Seriously, do I really have to prep this? …… Yes. Sigh.
New Year Jig - (32 J 3) - Bk 51
An Autumn Posy - (32 S 2) - Butterfield
Lucy Campbell - (32 R 2) - Bk 17
Ruby Wilkinson's Farewell - (32 S 4) - Bk 52
MacLeod's Fancy - (32 J 4) - Bk 33 (Drewry)
- - - ^-^ - - - ^-^ - - - ^-^ - - ^ - - ^-^ - - - ^-^ - - - ^-^ - - -
New Year Jig:- This one is just popping out of the woodwork. From not even the radar to ubiquitous.
Easy Peasy flow, 1st woman never faces her partner but begins and ends every figure facing out. Eye contact challenged dancers have to work at it. Nice dance for opening and warming up. But I would be careful to avoid over doing this dance, which would be easy to do.
An Autumn Posy:- I call it a Xiowen special - she taught it, thereby bringing it to our attention, and it is catching on. I initially had issues with it. It is a very simple dance and that requires clean precise dancing which we don't get often enough for my taste. But the more we do it the better the dancers are doing. Yay! There must be a tune out there that fits this dance like a glove but I haven't found it. I am looking.
Lucy Campbell:- Something Society and something different… I had never encountered it before Sandra proposed it for there Kilts and Ghillies Tea Dance and I do mean never. I don't remember ever looking at. I certainly never had it taught to me and it is different enough I would remember it.
A variant RHA LHA - into a slipping figure with some traveling pas de basque that somewhat resembles a poussette, then a fugal figure into the final figure to progress.
Diagram courtesy of SCDDB and Keith Rose.
In my opinion dancing the slipping/setting figure cleanly is the key to the dance. Across the set in 4 slip steps is easy and the transition to p-d-b on inside foot should be natural. It is the slipping to the center that causes problems. 4 slip steps here are too many or else too small and in either case just plain ugly.
My solution is three slip steps to the center and a deliberate close. The left foot is free and the rotation [bar 7] is then on the easy foot and the retire is on the right p-d-b. As 1st Man I make my foot change at the beginning of the cast in the next figure. I dance p-d-b close, and leave off the jété.
A piece of me really wants to break out of the box and do the jété and begin the cast hopping on my right - making it an 'easy' cast and then stay 'out of step' for the remainder of the figure. Maybe someday I will gather the courage.
Ruby Wilkinson's Farewell to Cranshaws:- I like it. Deborah loves it! The music is delightfully different - I would NOT want our music to be all esoteric and different - but on occasion it is great fun.
The reels need work. There IS a preferred timing to reels of four. Unfortunately the Manual doesn't explain it clearly enough. In fact the manual can too easily be misinterpreted, and with double diagonal reels of four intersecting in the middle and those reels also intersecting with reels of four across the top and bottom timing becomes… critical.
In a reel of four you have to make three passes in four bars or 6 passes in 8 bars. Now where have we heard that before? Anyone?
Right you are – in grand chains. The timing of the end couples in a reel of four is EXACTLY the same: 1, 1, 2: Pass dancer by the right [1], next dancer by the left [1] and the next dancer by the right - slowly [2 steps]. You are in the opposite place from where you began, 1/2 way through the reel. Middle people simply start in the middle of the phrase (as it were). Take two to dance out to the END - no further - come in on 3 and pass on 4. In other words 2,1,1.
From the manual:
- 1st and 4th women pass by the left while 2nd and 3rd women continue to dance to the right, round the loop, to finish 2nd woman facing down and 3rd woman facing up.
The words that cause all the problems and misinterpretations:
- continue to dance to the right, round the loop, to finish … facing down and … facing up.
So Around the end we go and back into the middle of the reel - early. And confusing the dancers who are expecting to meet only one person, not two, in the middle.
(If asked I will diagram this out.)
Thursday, October 25, 2018
1 October 2018 – Scotia
The dances:
EH3 7AF – (32 J 3) – Bk 40 (Goldring)
Barbara's Strathspey – (32 S 3) – Bk 46 (McKinnell)
Bubbly and Cake – (32 R 3) – Wendy Carse
The Flying Spur – (32 J 3) – Drewry
The Moray Rant – (48 S 3/3L) – Drewry
–– ÷ ÷ ÷ –– ÷ ÷ ÷ ––– ÷ ÷ ÷ ––– ÷ ÷ ÷ –––
Barbara's Strathspey:- I have taught it before and commented on it before. Nothing has changed. It is still one of the loveliest dances in the repertoire.
Bubbly and Cake:- I was introduced to this dance by Brian Haeckler, one of the other teachers in New Haven, who was working with Set and Link for three. I think the dance has that 'something' and the dancers at Scotia agreed. They gave it more than just polite clapping.
Diagram courtesy of SCDDB and Keith Rose.
The Flying Spur:- I love it! I always have (well since I first danced it). But what I can not stand is the music that I have for it. Nothing about that recording makes me want to get on the floor and dance. So I use The Famous Baravan instead - recorded by Marian Anderson's Band. that one gets me out of my chair.
I have written about it before and my view that it is actually two dances in one hasn't changed.
The 1st couple have one dance, the supporting couples have a different dance and they occasionally intersect in interesting ways.
The Moray Rant:- One of John Drewry's sleepers - by that I mean there are lots of opportunities to interact with partner and the other dancers and those moments are often missed. And, for me at least, knowing that those moments are just ahead make it easier for me to remember the choreography. The turns are out the side! Why? So you get a moment with partner as you dance toward each other at the bottom, or the top, or…
These last two dances are (or will be) Drewry Night staples. It is hosted by the Brooklyn class of the New York Branch and will be held on 1 December 2018. See the posting in Upcoming Events.
EH3 7AF – (32 J 3) – Bk 40 (Goldring)
Barbara's Strathspey – (32 S 3) – Bk 46 (McKinnell)
Bubbly and Cake – (32 R 3) – Wendy Carse
The Flying Spur – (32 J 3) – Drewry
The Moray Rant – (48 S 3/3L) – Drewry
–– ÷ ÷ ÷ –– ÷ ÷ ÷ ––– ÷ ÷ ÷ ––– ÷ ÷ ÷ –––
Barbara's Strathspey:- I have taught it before and commented on it before. Nothing has changed. It is still one of the loveliest dances in the repertoire.
Bubbly and Cake:- I was introduced to this dance by Brian Haeckler, one of the other teachers in New Haven, who was working with Set and Link for three. I think the dance has that 'something' and the dancers at Scotia agreed. They gave it more than just polite clapping.
Diagram courtesy of SCDDB and Keith Rose.
The Flying Spur:- I love it! I always have (well since I first danced it). But what I can not stand is the music that I have for it. Nothing about that recording makes me want to get on the floor and dance. So I use The Famous Baravan instead - recorded by Marian Anderson's Band. that one gets me out of my chair.
I have written about it before and my view that it is actually two dances in one hasn't changed.
The 1st couple have one dance, the supporting couples have a different dance and they occasionally intersect in interesting ways.
The Moray Rant:- One of John Drewry's sleepers - by that I mean there are lots of opportunities to interact with partner and the other dancers and those moments are often missed. And, for me at least, knowing that those moments are just ahead make it easier for me to remember the choreography. The turns are out the side! Why? So you get a moment with partner as you dance toward each other at the bottom, or the top, or…
These last two dances are (or will be) Drewry Night staples. It is hosted by the Brooklyn class of the New York Branch and will be held on 1 December 2018. See the posting in Upcoming Events.
25 September 2018 –– New Haven
The dances:
New Year Jig – (32 J 3 – Bk 51
The Sands of Morar – (32 S 3) – Priddey
Glastonbury Tor – (32 R 3) – Bk 47
The Pawling Mermaid – (32 J 3) – Price
The Scallywag – (40 J 3) – Bk 52 (Kelly)
Barbara's Strathspey – (32 S 3) – Bk 47 (McKinnell)
Ú ÒÒ ÚÚ ÒÒÒ ÚÚ Ò ÚÚ ÒÒÒ ÚÚ ÒÒ Ú
New Year Jig:- The dance is well constructed. The flow is superb, better it close to perfect. Is there a mantra? Yes. "1st lady - face out!" Always! The dance is growing on me. Thumbs up.
The Sands of Morar:- A Barry Priddey gem. You do understand that I am severely prejudiced just about every dance of his is going to be one of my favourites. This one is interesting and lovely.
Key: the timing/phrasing of the reels. It needs to be impeccable. No overshooting the halfway point.
Glastonbury Tor:- Really, what can I say? The dance is a good one. If there is a catch, it is with the four bars of Set + Link for 3. At first the dancers will go with muscle memory and try and add a second link. Oh well.
The Pawling Mermaid:- Look at earlier posts 'cause I have pretty much said it all already.
The Scallywag:- At first look I wasn't sure. At first teaching I still wasn't sure. I am now sure. This is a good dance. For those who can the opportunities for eye contact, for flirting, are there for the taking.
And it is fun! Thumbs up for this one. And by the way, the Jim Lindsay recording for Book 52 is really, really, good.
Barbara's Strathspey:- This is one of my Top 50 dances. That it is not danced everywhere is beyond my ken. Yet I just found out that it is not part of the Paris Branch repertoire. The newest dancer in New Haven, a professor of French Literature fresh from Paris, had never heard of it. And my greatest joy is to see dancers light up when I introduce them to a new fabulous dance.
New Year Jig – (32 J 3 – Bk 51
The Sands of Morar – (32 S 3) – Priddey
Glastonbury Tor – (32 R 3) – Bk 47
The Pawling Mermaid – (32 J 3) – Price
The Scallywag – (40 J 3) – Bk 52 (Kelly)
Barbara's Strathspey – (32 S 3) – Bk 47 (McKinnell)
Ú ÒÒ ÚÚ ÒÒÒ ÚÚ Ò ÚÚ ÒÒÒ ÚÚ ÒÒ Ú
New Year Jig:- The dance is well constructed. The flow is superb, better it close to perfect. Is there a mantra? Yes. "1st lady - face out!" Always! The dance is growing on me. Thumbs up.
The Sands of Morar:- A Barry Priddey gem. You do understand that I am severely prejudiced just about every dance of his is going to be one of my favourites. This one is interesting and lovely.
Key: the timing/phrasing of the reels. It needs to be impeccable. No overshooting the halfway point.
Glastonbury Tor:- Really, what can I say? The dance is a good one. If there is a catch, it is with the four bars of Set + Link for 3. At first the dancers will go with muscle memory and try and add a second link. Oh well.
The Pawling Mermaid:- Look at earlier posts 'cause I have pretty much said it all already.
The Scallywag:- At first look I wasn't sure. At first teaching I still wasn't sure. I am now sure. This is a good dance. For those who can the opportunities for eye contact, for flirting, are there for the taking.
And it is fun! Thumbs up for this one. And by the way, the Jim Lindsay recording for Book 52 is really, really, good.
Barbara's Strathspey:- This is one of my Top 50 dances. That it is not danced everywhere is beyond my ken. Yet I just found out that it is not part of the Paris Branch repertoire. The newest dancer in New Haven, a professor of French Literature fresh from Paris, had never heard of it. And my greatest joy is to see dancers light up when I introduce them to a new fabulous dance.
Friday, October 19, 2018
24 September 2018 – Scotia
Just so you know, I have a good excuse, no, reason, why I am behind in my posts. I have my computer back, and while the case is the same the insides are brand new.
It started last month when the curser began to wander around the screen without my input and only sort of settled down after multiple reboots. I had also forgotten my original (2012) system password which meant I could not update anything, could not add fonts, could not upgrade a program, or make any other changes to the system. So I had nothing else to do but take it in for a complete hard drive erase and reinstall of the system… they took it in back and the next day I got a phone call with the 'news' that the new trackpad hadn't solved the 'problem'. Apple wanted to send the computer to Texas for more extensive 'repairs'. I agreed - I had no other choice.
When I got the computer back the invoice included a new logic board, a new hard drive, a new battery, and two new memory modules. Mind you the old ones were all working when I handed the machine over to them.
Hmmm… what do you think happened and why was the repair only $130.00 (as originally quoted) and not the $612.00 on the bill the rep presented me?
Anyway, I am back.
The Dances I taught were:
The Pawling Mermaid - (32 J 3) - Price
The Sands of Morar - (32 S 3) - Priddey
The Aviator - (32 J 3) - Bk 52 (Fischer)
Trip to Tobermory - (32 S 3) - Paris Book
- - - $$ - - - $$ -- -- -- $ $ $ -- -- -- $$ - - - $$ - - -
The Pawling Mermaid:- I wrote the dance in honor of a dancer who 'loves' to swim in Sylvan Lake at the NY Pawling Weekend and will do so even though there is no lifeguard present and we are expressly forbidden. This will be formally published Real Soon Now because I now have a commissioned tune by Peter Macfarlane.
Peter send me three MP3 recordings. The first one was a hornpipe for my Palisades Mermaid, a strathspey for my dance The Portland Mermaid and this jig. The usual procedure is to check with the person commissioning the tune to see of they like it and solicit feedback in order to tweak it into shape. It wasn't needed. I listened to the hornpipe first and about halfway in I found myself beginning to smile. I listened to the strathspey and found myself 'singing' along. I listened to this jig last and wasn't sure so I put it on repeat. I soon found myself imaging the swing of my kilt. Three for three!
The Sands of Morar:- There are two sets of instructions out there. The dance as published by the RSCDS in Book 45 and the dance as earlier published in Glasgow Diamond Jubilee. The instructions for bars 17 - 20 differ. Oh Joy!
From Glasgow's Diamond Jubilee Book:
From Book 45:
Small difference in text with big difference in space-time continuum for the dancers.
The Aviator:- Nothing has changed - I still love it! So do many of my dancers.
Trip to Tobermory:- Not the John Drewry dance, (24 S 2). From the Paris Book (32 S 3). This is one temperamental wee beastie and in a very subtle way. I read it over several times before hand but to really know it, I will have to dance it and I didn't get the chance. I had to get all the other people through this dance which I, honestly, didn't know.
It started last month when the curser began to wander around the screen without my input and only sort of settled down after multiple reboots. I had also forgotten my original (2012) system password which meant I could not update anything, could not add fonts, could not upgrade a program, or make any other changes to the system. So I had nothing else to do but take it in for a complete hard drive erase and reinstall of the system… they took it in back and the next day I got a phone call with the 'news' that the new trackpad hadn't solved the 'problem'. Apple wanted to send the computer to Texas for more extensive 'repairs'. I agreed - I had no other choice.
When I got the computer back the invoice included a new logic board, a new hard drive, a new battery, and two new memory modules. Mind you the old ones were all working when I handed the machine over to them.
Hmmm… what do you think happened and why was the repair only $130.00 (as originally quoted) and not the $612.00 on the bill the rep presented me?
Anyway, I am back.
The Dances I taught were:
The Pawling Mermaid - (32 J 3) - Price
The Sands of Morar - (32 S 3) - Priddey
The Aviator - (32 J 3) - Bk 52 (Fischer)
Trip to Tobermory - (32 S 3) - Paris Book
- - - $$ - - - $$ -- -- -- $ $ $ -- -- -- $$ - - - $$ - - -
The Pawling Mermaid:- I wrote the dance in honor of a dancer who 'loves' to swim in Sylvan Lake at the NY Pawling Weekend and will do so even though there is no lifeguard present and we are expressly forbidden. This will be formally published Real Soon Now because I now have a commissioned tune by Peter Macfarlane.
Peter send me three MP3 recordings. The first one was a hornpipe for my Palisades Mermaid, a strathspey for my dance The Portland Mermaid and this jig. The usual procedure is to check with the person commissioning the tune to see of they like it and solicit feedback in order to tweak it into shape. It wasn't needed. I listened to the hornpipe first and about halfway in I found myself beginning to smile. I listened to the strathspey and found myself 'singing' along. I listened to this jig last and wasn't sure so I put it on repeat. I soon found myself imaging the swing of my kilt. Three for three!
The Sands of Morar:- There are two sets of instructions out there. The dance as published by the RSCDS in Book 45 and the dance as earlier published in Glasgow Diamond Jubilee. The instructions for bars 17 - 20 differ. Oh Joy!
From Glasgow's Diamond Jubilee Book:
1st couple turn with both hands once round and dance down the middle to 3rd place retaining nearer hands; 2nd couple dance up to above top place, join nearer hands and dance down to 2nd place; 3rd couple dance in to touch hands and continue to dance out and up round top place to face down with nearer hands joined.
From Book 45:
1st couple turn with both hands once round, dance down to third place and retain nearer hands. 2nd couple dance out and up to first place and, joining nearer hands, dance down to second place to finish in the middle behind 1st couple. 3rd couple dance in to give nearer hands (3rd man right hand 3rd woman left hand) and dance up and out to first place to finish in the middle behind 2nd couple. All three couples are in the middle of the set facing down.
Small difference in text with big difference in space-time continuum for the dancers.
The Aviator:- Nothing has changed - I still love it! So do many of my dancers.
Trip to Tobermory:- Not the John Drewry dance, (24 S 2). From the Paris Book (32 S 3). This is one temperamental wee beastie and in a very subtle way. I read it over several times before hand but to really know it, I will have to dance it and I didn't get the chance. I had to get all the other people through this dance which I, honestly, didn't know.
Thursday, September 27, 2018
17 September 2018 – Scotia
The dances:
The Findlays' Jig – (32 J 3]) – Goldring
Neidpath Castle – (32 S 3/3L) – Bk 22 (Haynes)
Gothenburg's Welcome – (32 J 3) – Bk 37 (Munro)
The Bon Viveur – (128 M 4 sq) – Bk 52
Links with St. Petersburg – (32 J 3) – Bk 46 (Brown)
Insomnia – (32 S 2) – Dragonfly (Montes)
Deil Amang the Tailors – (32 R 3) – Bk 14
"" –– "" –– "" –– "" –– "" –– "" –– "" –– ""
The Findlays' Jig:- We open the experienced portion of the evening with a dance for everyone.
This is a nice easy one and while getting a 'little' old it is far from nauseating. Still a thumbs up.
Neidpath Castle:- A old chestnut. And, usually, the first 8 bars are hard to watch as the dancers seem incapable of covering the turns. I really didn't intend to spend as much time on this dance as I did. (I received comments). But in my defense I got what I wanted - the covering improved.
Gothenburg's Welcome:- I like this dance. I love all the eye contact that is possible. I have met some dancers who just won't, something to do with flirting with strangers, but the moments here are so fleeting that who could possibly flirt. All you can get are 'hi ya' moments (aren't we having fun!).
The "Dance to each corner and Set" figure has boggled the minds of many and the only solution is sheer repetition, so that is what I did. Practically ad nauseam. But, oh joy, it was coming together! 😊
The Bon Viveur:- My weekly Book 52 dance. Essentially simple, it went very quickly. Want to introduce Schiehallion Reels to your class - this is one would be a good choice.
Links with St. Petersburg:- I have liked this dance from the start. It is perennially on my short list of dances to do, but I find myself increasingly reluctant.
When I watch the Summer School or Newcastle festival demo teams I see an intent that I rarely see on the social dance floor. Specifically the transition from the down the middle and up into the mirror turns. The dem. teams end the down the middle and up in place on the sidelines. The turns then clearly start from those places.
Socially dancers seem to get lazy and 1C never go to places but start the turns from the center of the set near hands still joined with partner. It is mushy! I prefer the clean definition of ending and starting from places.
Too be honest I am not sure the dancers are entirely to blame. Lord knows that when I teach the dance I mention the point but I am more interested in getting the basic geography nailed down and being particular on that point seems like to too much detail in the moment. And nobody benefits from that.
Clearly I need to teach the dance (or program it) again soon and make that a point for refinement.
Insomnia:- A simple enough strathspey, on our Halloween program, but new to the group so it need introducing.
The Findlays' Jig – (32 J 3]) – Goldring
Neidpath Castle – (32 S 3/3L) – Bk 22 (Haynes)
Gothenburg's Welcome – (32 J 3) – Bk 37 (Munro)
The Bon Viveur – (128 M 4 sq) – Bk 52
Links with St. Petersburg – (32 J 3) – Bk 46 (Brown)
Insomnia – (32 S 2) – Dragonfly (Montes)
Deil Amang the Tailors – (32 R 3) – Bk 14
"" –– "" –– "" –– "" –– "" –– "" –– "" –– ""
The Findlays' Jig:- We open the experienced portion of the evening with a dance for everyone.
This is a nice easy one and while getting a 'little' old it is far from nauseating. Still a thumbs up.
Neidpath Castle:- A old chestnut. And, usually, the first 8 bars are hard to watch as the dancers seem incapable of covering the turns. I really didn't intend to spend as much time on this dance as I did. (I received comments). But in my defense I got what I wanted - the covering improved.
Gothenburg's Welcome:- I like this dance. I love all the eye contact that is possible. I have met some dancers who just won't, something to do with flirting with strangers, but the moments here are so fleeting that who could possibly flirt. All you can get are 'hi ya' moments (aren't we having fun!).
The "Dance to each corner and Set" figure has boggled the minds of many and the only solution is sheer repetition, so that is what I did. Practically ad nauseam. But, oh joy, it was coming together! 😊
The Bon Viveur:- My weekly Book 52 dance. Essentially simple, it went very quickly. Want to introduce Schiehallion Reels to your class - this is one would be a good choice.
Links with St. Petersburg:- I have liked this dance from the start. It is perennially on my short list of dances to do, but I find myself increasingly reluctant.
When I watch the Summer School or Newcastle festival demo teams I see an intent that I rarely see on the social dance floor. Specifically the transition from the down the middle and up into the mirror turns. The dem. teams end the down the middle and up in place on the sidelines. The turns then clearly start from those places.
Socially dancers seem to get lazy and 1C never go to places but start the turns from the center of the set near hands still joined with partner. It is mushy! I prefer the clean definition of ending and starting from places.
Too be honest I am not sure the dancers are entirely to blame. Lord knows that when I teach the dance I mention the point but I am more interested in getting the basic geography nailed down and being particular on that point seems like to too much detail in the moment. And nobody benefits from that.
Clearly I need to teach the dance (or program it) again soon and make that a point for refinement.
Insomnia:- A simple enough strathspey, on our Halloween program, but new to the group so it need introducing.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
10 September 2018 – Scotia Opening PartyBlue Bonnets –
The Program:
It's all right – (32 J 3) – 2nd Graded Bk (See)
The Dancing Bees – (32 R 3) – Goldring
An Autumn Posy – (32 S 2) – Island Bay 2 (Butterfield)
The Barmkin – (88 R 4 sq) – Goldring
New York Frolic – (32 J 3) – Leary-leaflet
The Rose of the North – (32 S 3) – Goldring
Deil Amang the Tailors – (32 R 3) – Bk 14
Intermission
EH3 7AF – (32 J 3) – Bk 40
Broadway – (32 S 3/3L) – Sunday Class (Ronald)
Shiftin' Bobbins – (32 R 3) – Clowes
Anna Holden's Strathspey – (32 S 2) – Bk 42 (Drewry)
Blue Bonnets – (32 J 2) – Bk 3
Fair Donald – (32 S 3) – Bk 29
Trip to Timber Ridge – (32 R 3) – Bk 52 (Henderson)
It's all right – (32 J 3) – 2nd Graded Bk (See)
The Dancing Bees – (32 R 3) – Goldring
An Autumn Posy – (32 S 2) – Island Bay 2 (Butterfield)
The Barmkin – (88 R 4 sq) – Goldring
New York Frolic – (32 J 3) – Leary-leaflet
The Rose of the North – (32 S 3) – Goldring
Deil Amang the Tailors – (32 R 3) – Bk 14
Intermission
EH3 7AF – (32 J 3) – Bk 40
Broadway – (32 S 3/3L) – Sunday Class (Ronald)
Shiftin' Bobbins – (32 R 3) – Clowes
Anna Holden's Strathspey – (32 S 2) – Bk 42 (Drewry)
Blue Bonnets – (32 J 2) – Bk 3
Fair Donald – (32 S 3) – Bk 29
Trip to Timber Ridge – (32 R 3) – Bk 52 (Henderson)
28 August 2018 – New H<- -aven
The last of the Guinea Pig sessions!
I taught
Cutty Sark – (32 J 3) – Bk 40
The Lea Rig – (32 S 2) – Bk 21
Beach Dancer – (32 J 3) – Eddy West
One Set Short of a Hundred – (32 S 3 set) – Paris Book
Rory O'More – (32 J 2) – Bk 1
Jaywalking – (40 J 3) – Tyler
Trip to Timber Ridge – (32 R 3) – Bk 52 (Henderson)
< – – – > < – – – > < – + – > < – – – > < – – – >
Cutty Sark:- A simple no thinkum warmup dance. Nice to know about
The Lea Rig:- Once an old favourite and we burned it out and stopped doing it.
But We have a at least one new generation of dancers who haven't seen it before. Resurrection time? Ya, you bettcha. And the response from those dancers was such that it is one the K&G dance.
Beach Dancer:- Contra dancing has a term for dances that requires a bit extra in energy, or thought, or anticipation, or moving smartly. These dances are called Zesty contras.
This dance has a 4 bar sequence that earns itself that term. The track needs to be completed in 4 bars - most dancers would automatically time it in 6. _Edinburgh, we have a problem._ Well sort of…
The real problem though is the next 4 bars. From a zesty pace to a very sedate 4 bar RH turn. :-) Oh my do the dancers have to work on their brakes.
Made the cut and it is on the Tea Dance program. (BTW - Eddy West was a New Zealander).
One Set Short of a Hundred:- No spectacular formations. No tricky phrasing, no surprises - and yet it earned a place on my Top Fifty List. I just haven't yet gotten around to putting it there. From the Paris Book which is quickly gaining my attention. Definite Thumbs up for the dance and a thumbs up for the book.
Rory O'More:- Need a different dance with a poussette? Look in Book 1- there are many. Rory O'More is one of them and is ok, so is Meg Merrilees (24 R 2) which is on the upcoming K&G Tea Dance. I would not recommend a steady diet of any one of them though.
Jaywalking:- Interesting (even in a Chinese sense). Uses Best Set in the Hall figure (for lack of consensus on a better name) into half reel of four. Worth a look. I liked it. but can your class handle it? A picture is worth a thousand words, so…
I taught
Cutty Sark – (32 J 3) – Bk 40
The Lea Rig – (32 S 2) – Bk 21
Beach Dancer – (32 J 3) – Eddy West
One Set Short of a Hundred – (32 S 3 set) – Paris Book
Rory O'More – (32 J 2) – Bk 1
Jaywalking – (40 J 3) – Tyler
Trip to Timber Ridge – (32 R 3) – Bk 52 (Henderson)
< – – – > < – – – > < – + – > < – – – > < – – – >
Cutty Sark:- A simple no thinkum warmup dance. Nice to know about
The Lea Rig:- Once an old favourite and we burned it out and stopped doing it.
But We have a at least one new generation of dancers who haven't seen it before. Resurrection time? Ya, you bettcha. And the response from those dancers was such that it is one the K&G dance.
Beach Dancer:- Contra dancing has a term for dances that requires a bit extra in energy, or thought, or anticipation, or moving smartly. These dances are called Zesty contras.
This dance has a 4 bar sequence that earns itself that term. The track needs to be completed in 4 bars - most dancers would automatically time it in 6. _Edinburgh, we have a problem._ Well sort of…
The real problem though is the next 4 bars. From a zesty pace to a very sedate 4 bar RH turn. :-) Oh my do the dancers have to work on their brakes.
Made the cut and it is on the Tea Dance program. (BTW - Eddy West was a New Zealander).
One Set Short of a Hundred:- No spectacular formations. No tricky phrasing, no surprises - and yet it earned a place on my Top Fifty List. I just haven't yet gotten around to putting it there. From the Paris Book which is quickly gaining my attention. Definite Thumbs up for the dance and a thumbs up for the book.
Rory O'More:- Need a different dance with a poussette? Look in Book 1- there are many. Rory O'More is one of them and is ok, so is Meg Merrilees (24 R 2) which is on the upcoming K&G Tea Dance. I would not recommend a steady diet of any one of them though.
Jaywalking:- Interesting (even in a Chinese sense). Uses Best Set in the Hall figure (for lack of consensus on a better name) into half reel of four. Worth a look. I liked it. but can your class handle it? A picture is worth a thousand words, so…
diagram courtesy of SCDDB and Keith Rose
Trip to Timber Ridge:- This one is neat! Highly Recommended. Two, maybe even three, thumbs up. Another Bk 52 gem. Fast moving and exciting. Fun, fun, fun until daddy takes my ghillies away. And the music helps make it.
We all have our usual list of program enders. Reel of the Royal Scots, Reel of the 51st Division, Etc. etc. (what are yours?) Trip to Timber Ridge just made it onto my list and will, in fact, be closing the 2019 Kilts and Ghillies Tea Dance. It has that 'thing'.
21 August 2018 – New Haven
Still summer social dancing (and K&G tryouts).
The dances I taught were:
Dragonflies – (32 S 5 person) – Lataille
The Dancing Bees – (32 R 3) – Goldring
Slytherin House – (32 S 3) – Bk 52 (Ronald)
Rendez-vous à Vichy – (32 J 3) – Paris Book (Latour)
The Aviator – (32 J 3) – Bk 52 (Fischer)
From Paper to Pearl – (32 S 3) – Collin
<<--->> <<--->> <<--->> <<--->> <<--->> <<--->>
Dragonflies:- Every teacher has a small collection of back pocket 'go to' dances. No thinkum dinkum dances for those times when the standard repertoire doesn't fit the numbers, or you have a small time gap that needs filling quickly, or…
This is one of mine. For music I use Hamish Henderson's Refusal as recorded by Susie Petrov and her band Local Hero on her vinyl album 'Hold the Lass till I get her".
The Dancing Bees:- A simple easy early in the evening dance. Roy gold ring seems to have a knack for devising these.
Slytherin House:- Published in Book 52, written by a NY/NJ dancer/teacher, it is a dance with snake passes. It is well liked and is quickly becoming a favo()urite in the local area.The music (recorded by Jim Lindsay) is wonderful and certainly helps. (He even includes snatches of film score).
In fact, the album (RSCDS Book 52) is a great listening album of great dance music. Simply put - Superb!! The book and the CD both rate a 98 or better - none of the dances or their music sets are boat anchors. Most are better than very very good and have excessive amounts of redeeming social value.
I predict that dances from this book is going to be fueling ball programs for a generation - watch how quickly these dances climb the ranks of Campbell's lists.
Rendez-vous à Vichy:- Antoine Rousseau programmed 3 dances from the Paris Book on his evening program at Pinewoods this summer. All Nice, and this is one of them. I like it. Thumbs Up. 👍
The Aviator:- A Carola Fischer production. I have discussed it before. It is still a two thumbs up dance. The critical piece is the peel off turns - the dancers have to time those turns with their partner who is reeling. It is the reeler who 'controls' the rate of turn. It is when you and your partner are in constant contact and work at staying in sync that this dance blossoms into something special. It rewards every eery of energy expended. Still two thumbs up!! 👍 👍
From Paper to Pearl:- I have been looking at two of Gaye Collin's strathspeys for the Tea Dance program. This year this dance wins the award and makes it onto the program.
I admit, I do have an agenda here. Our band leader for 2019 is Sharlene Penman who will be visiting the NYC area from New Zealand so Sandra and I have been looking at New Zealand dances.
The dances I taught were:
Dragonflies – (32 S 5 person) – Lataille
The Dancing Bees – (32 R 3) – Goldring
Slytherin House – (32 S 3) – Bk 52 (Ronald)
Rendez-vous à Vichy – (32 J 3) – Paris Book (Latour)
The Aviator – (32 J 3) – Bk 52 (Fischer)
From Paper to Pearl – (32 S 3) – Collin
<<--->> <<--->> <<--->> <<--->> <<--->> <<--->>
Dragonflies:- Every teacher has a small collection of back pocket 'go to' dances. No thinkum dinkum dances for those times when the standard repertoire doesn't fit the numbers, or you have a small time gap that needs filling quickly, or…
This is one of mine. For music I use Hamish Henderson's Refusal as recorded by Susie Petrov and her band Local Hero on her vinyl album 'Hold the Lass till I get her".
The Dancing Bees:- A simple easy early in the evening dance. Roy gold ring seems to have a knack for devising these.
Slytherin House:- Published in Book 52, written by a NY/NJ dancer/teacher, it is a dance with snake passes. It is well liked and is quickly becoming a favo()urite in the local area.The music (recorded by Jim Lindsay) is wonderful and certainly helps. (He even includes snatches of film score).
In fact, the album (RSCDS Book 52) is a great listening album of great dance music. Simply put - Superb!! The book and the CD both rate a 98 or better - none of the dances or their music sets are boat anchors. Most are better than very very good and have excessive amounts of redeeming social value.
I predict that dances from this book is going to be fueling ball programs for a generation - watch how quickly these dances climb the ranks of Campbell's lists.
Rendez-vous à Vichy:- Antoine Rousseau programmed 3 dances from the Paris Book on his evening program at Pinewoods this summer. All Nice, and this is one of them. I like it. Thumbs Up. 👍
The Aviator:- A Carola Fischer production. I have discussed it before. It is still a two thumbs up dance. The critical piece is the peel off turns - the dancers have to time those turns with their partner who is reeling. It is the reeler who 'controls' the rate of turn. It is when you and your partner are in constant contact and work at staying in sync that this dance blossoms into something special. It rewards every eery of energy expended. Still two thumbs up!! 👍 👍
From Paper to Pearl:- I have been looking at two of Gaye Collin's strathspeys for the Tea Dance program. This year this dance wins the award and makes it onto the program.
I admit, I do have an agenda here. Our band leader for 2019 is Sharlene Penman who will be visiting the NYC area from New Zealand so Sandra and I have been looking at New Zealand dances.
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
14 August 2018_New Haven
Another K&G road test/summer social juggling act.
Dances taught:
The Shetland Shepherdess (32 J 3) Wallace: Graded 3
Ysobel Stewart of Fish Hoek (32 S 3) Short: Bk 52
Under A Shady Tree (32 R 3) O'Conner
Farewell to Balfour Road (32 J 5) Bk 52
Ruby Wilkinson's Farewell to Cranshaws (32 S 3) Bk 52
Love in the Marais (32 R 3) Paris Book
Kamo Karousel (32 J 3) Eddy West
@*@ –– @*@ –– @ * @ * @ –– @*@ –– @*@
Ysobel Stewart of Fish Hoek:- A nice solid dance. It is not, in my opinion, a great dance but it is one that I will keep coming back to. To my mind the heart of the dance is about sequential visitation rights.
Under a Shady Tree:- The first time I danced this, never having taught it before, not knowing what to expect, my partner and I lit up! The possibilities for eye contact, for keeping in touch while dancing asymmetric paths made for a sublime experience. I would give it three thumbs up. No one else seems willing to give it the time of day. Now, maybe it as Deborah says, that the first few times the dancers are focused on gross geography and only later will the subtle byplay come to the fore. I hope so because this one is in my category of specials and I actually find it painful to see all the opportunities past by.
Farewell to Balfour Road:- Another successful experiment. We confirmed that this is a fun one worth two thumbs up! On the shortest of short lists for K&G.
Love in the Marais:- Learned it at Pinewoods. Antoine Rousseau put this, and two other dances from the Paris Book, on his evening program. Good fun. And, I like gypsy turns. Thumbs up.
Kamo Karousel:- 👍👍 What? another one? Indeed. Doesn't read like it, but it danced that much better. A definite choice for an ender, either the first half or as a last dance on the program. Pick good rabble rousing music and it flies! And since the K*G's next band leader will be visiting from New Zealand… Ya, you betcha.
Ruby Wilkinson's Farewell to Cranshaws:- Oh yes! Funky not so Scot-ish music but great fun. And the reels - YES. The diagonal reels of four (a la Girardet House) of the middle couples intersecting with reels of four across the dance of the end couples.
Truth: The only way these reels work is if you actually phrase the reels *correctly*. I refuse to reread the manual on this subject. The wording is mushy. The dancing that I see in too many performances is that too.
Not so rhetorical question - Why is it that when dancing a half reel of four the "half way" is nailed by both the middle dancers and the end dancers? But, when dancing a full reel of four the end dancers find a different half way point? One that is in fact nowhere even close?
I suggest that looking at reels of four from the perspective of a Grand Chain might be helpful - they both have six changes in 8 bars of music or, for a half figure, 3 changes in four bars. The timing for these formations is *identical*. If you are starting at the end of the reel the timing should be exactly the same as a half chain – first change by the RH on [1}, second change by the Left on [2] the third change by the right on [3 and 4].
The critical question in a reel of four is: How Far Out is Halfway?
I submit: It is NOT around and past the end and starting back in! Just out TO the far end - to exactly where you would finish if this were a half reel and *not one millimeter further*.
If the timing is not accurate the reels in this dance will not mesh, things will not look right to the dancers, it will show on their faces and be evident in the set.
(Some times I wish all the dancers were wearing electric shock collars… or even better that I could give them a jolt in the pleasure center of their brain when they get it right. Clicker training???)
Dances taught:
The Shetland Shepherdess (32 J 3) Wallace: Graded 3
Ysobel Stewart of Fish Hoek (32 S 3) Short: Bk 52
Under A Shady Tree (32 R 3) O'Conner
Farewell to Balfour Road (32 J 5) Bk 52
Ruby Wilkinson's Farewell to Cranshaws (32 S 3) Bk 52
Love in the Marais (32 R 3) Paris Book
Kamo Karousel (32 J 3) Eddy West
@*@ –– @*@ –– @ * @ * @ –– @*@ –– @*@
Ysobel Stewart of Fish Hoek:- A nice solid dance. It is not, in my opinion, a great dance but it is one that I will keep coming back to. To my mind the heart of the dance is about sequential visitation rights.
Under a Shady Tree:- The first time I danced this, never having taught it before, not knowing what to expect, my partner and I lit up! The possibilities for eye contact, for keeping in touch while dancing asymmetric paths made for a sublime experience. I would give it three thumbs up. No one else seems willing to give it the time of day. Now, maybe it as Deborah says, that the first few times the dancers are focused on gross geography and only later will the subtle byplay come to the fore. I hope so because this one is in my category of specials and I actually find it painful to see all the opportunities past by.
Farewell to Balfour Road:- Another successful experiment. We confirmed that this is a fun one worth two thumbs up! On the shortest of short lists for K&G.
Love in the Marais:- Learned it at Pinewoods. Antoine Rousseau put this, and two other dances from the Paris Book, on his evening program. Good fun. And, I like gypsy turns. Thumbs up.
Kamo Karousel:- 👍👍 What? another one? Indeed. Doesn't read like it, but it danced that much better. A definite choice for an ender, either the first half or as a last dance on the program. Pick good rabble rousing music and it flies! And since the K*G's next band leader will be visiting from New Zealand… Ya, you betcha.
Ruby Wilkinson's Farewell to Cranshaws:- Oh yes! Funky not so Scot-ish music but great fun. And the reels - YES. The diagonal reels of four (a la Girardet House) of the middle couples intersecting with reels of four across the dance of the end couples.
Truth: The only way these reels work is if you actually phrase the reels *correctly*. I refuse to reread the manual on this subject. The wording is mushy. The dancing that I see in too many performances is that too.
Not so rhetorical question - Why is it that when dancing a half reel of four the "half way" is nailed by both the middle dancers and the end dancers? But, when dancing a full reel of four the end dancers find a different half way point? One that is in fact nowhere even close?
I suggest that looking at reels of four from the perspective of a Grand Chain might be helpful - they both have six changes in 8 bars of music or, for a half figure, 3 changes in four bars. The timing for these formations is *identical*. If you are starting at the end of the reel the timing should be exactly the same as a half chain – first change by the RH on [1}, second change by the Left on [2] the third change by the right on [3 and 4].
The critical question in a reel of four is: How Far Out is Halfway?
I submit: It is NOT around and past the end and starting back in! Just out TO the far end - to exactly where you would finish if this were a half reel and *not one millimeter further*.
If the timing is not accurate the reels in this dance will not mesh, things will not look right to the dancers, it will show on their faces and be evident in the set.
(Some times I wish all the dancers were wearing electric shock collars… or even better that I could give them a jolt in the pleasure center of their brain when they get it right. Clicker training???)
6 August 2018_Scotia (New York, NY)
Summer Dance in the City, and I have two mutually exclusive agendas.
First: this is a social evening. Second: I have to find dances that deserve to be considered for the Kilts and Ghillies Tea Dance. And the only true test is when the leather meets the dance floor.
This evening's dances:
Bottoms Up (32 J 3/3L) Rhodes:Snowdon 3 Bk 49/2
The Dancing Bees (32 R 3) Goldring
The Clarsach (32 S 3/3L) Ryer
Farewell to Balfour Road (32 J 5) Bk 52/7
The Flower Lady (32 S 3/3L) Avril Quarrie
Orpington Caledonians (32 R 3) Bk 49/2
The Shetland Shepherdess (32 J 3) Graded Bk 3
The Lea Rig (32 S 2) Bk 21/5
Toast to the Mousies (32 R 3) Gratiot - leaflet
The Aviator (32 J 3) Bk 52/9
Bedrule (32 S 3) Bk 33/7
Trip to Timber Ridge (32 R 3) Bk 52/12
) - ( – ) - ( – ) - ( – ) - ( – – ) - ( – ) - ( – ) - ( – ) - (
Bottoms Up:- A nice little jig, an easy peasy thing. Ehhh NOT.
Simple, yes, but it is so easy that it is easy to miss the count and that it is mildly upsetting. Not that it really matters, but yet… A K&G test dance proposed by Sandra my program co-deviser. Stays on the short list.
The Dancing Bees:- This is a known quantity and a nice wee social dance.
The Clarsach:- On the evening program by request. The dance was on the 2018 Kilt and Ghillies program, and liked well enough that David (of the beaming smile) called and requested it. How could I not.
The dance has a nice little move: all 3 couples set advancing, the 1C petronella while the corners retire. As a corner (and the teacher) I like to set while retiring. The instructions do not specify - they just say retire.
Farewell to Balfour Road:- Not a boat anchor! The first time this was taught I stood there in the set saying (to myself) "this has to be the single most tedious dance I have ever come across!". Then the teacher added the twist - it is a canon with a new couple starting every 16 bars! Out of the dust bin and onto a pedestal - well not quite that but certainly into the back pocket as a standard 5C set go-to. The response has been two thumbs up - with a big grin from just about everyone.
The Flower Lady:- Unpublished as far as I can tell. I learned it at Pinewoods from Linda Henderson. (You need a good teacher ? - Hire her! She is clear, precise, concise, has high standards and expectations and, above all, she is gentle. Highly recommended (You couldn't tell I like her so I had to say it, right?)
Back to the dance - It is a Nice one! Well actually a very nice one. Nothing over the top, it has a track figure with a slightly tangy twist. Thumbs up.
Orpington Caledonians:- It been out a couple or three years now and still fun. Still a thumbs up.
The Shetland Shepherdess:- A Ron Wallace production. Which means, sight unseen, I am going to like it. I first met it at the New Haven Highland Ball this past spring and have been using ever since.
A good program opener, good anytime really. How many thumbs? Well certainly one big one, maybe two. Worth the look.
The Lea Rig:- It has been years since I last danced or taught this. I think maybe we over did it and ended up with a case of indigestion. The music, song style strathspey, is lovely, the dance can become tedious. But I woke up to the fact that many of our current dancers have never seen it. Oops.
Toast to the Mousies:-Another David request. It too was on last year's K&G Tea Dance. The dance is good. The music is magnificent - tune by Keith Smith. It lifts you out of your chair and draws you onto the floor. The tune (listening style) is found on the CD Highland Shortbread by Keith and Muriel. A dancing version is found on Spark o' Water - CD by Keith and Muriel - as the lead tune for the dance Norma's Garden.
The Aviator:- 👍 👍- This one is special. It is about flying in tandem and then peeling off to circle in parallel. Timing/phrasing of the tandem half-whole reel of three (with lead change) is critical.
I find that the normal - learned - muscle memory phrasing of the reel works not so well. But cutting the reel by dancing STRAIGHT across or STRAIGHT up and down the center axis of the set makes for better phrasing/synchrony with partner - and you do have to work at it! But oh the joy when you get it right.
Bedrule:- We only have one - no snacking on crackers. :-)) Good basic strathspey. Lots of fun to watch. Written because even though we carefully teach dancers to 'flow' between Right Hands Across
below into Left Hands Across above, invariably 1W transitions with a flip. So the devisor wrote that flip into this dance - and now I watch 1W flow beautifully between the two wheels, without the written in flip! Go figure.
Trip to Timber Ridge:- A Linda Henderson production highlighting the Saltire (twice). IMHO we now have another good/great program ender. (My was I getting tired of Reel of the 51st/Royal Scots/etc. etc.). Two thumbs up!
First: this is a social evening. Second: I have to find dances that deserve to be considered for the Kilts and Ghillies Tea Dance. And the only true test is when the leather meets the dance floor.
This evening's dances:
Bottoms Up (32 J 3/3L) Rhodes:Snowdon 3 Bk 49/2
The Dancing Bees (32 R 3) Goldring
The Clarsach (32 S 3/3L) Ryer
Farewell to Balfour Road (32 J 5) Bk 52/7
The Flower Lady (32 S 3/3L) Avril Quarrie
Orpington Caledonians (32 R 3) Bk 49/2
The Shetland Shepherdess (32 J 3) Graded Bk 3
The Lea Rig (32 S 2) Bk 21/5
Toast to the Mousies (32 R 3) Gratiot - leaflet
The Aviator (32 J 3) Bk 52/9
Bedrule (32 S 3) Bk 33/7
Trip to Timber Ridge (32 R 3) Bk 52/12
) - ( – ) - ( – ) - ( – ) - ( – – ) - ( – ) - ( – ) - ( – ) - (
Bottoms Up:- A nice little jig, an easy peasy thing. Ehhh NOT.
Simple, yes, but it is so easy that it is easy to miss the count and that it is mildly upsetting. Not that it really matters, but yet… A K&G test dance proposed by Sandra my program co-deviser. Stays on the short list.
The Dancing Bees:- This is a known quantity and a nice wee social dance.
The Clarsach:- On the evening program by request. The dance was on the 2018 Kilt and Ghillies program, and liked well enough that David (of the beaming smile) called and requested it. How could I not.
The dance has a nice little move: all 3 couples set advancing, the 1C petronella while the corners retire. As a corner (and the teacher) I like to set while retiring. The instructions do not specify - they just say retire.
Farewell to Balfour Road:- Not a boat anchor! The first time this was taught I stood there in the set saying (to myself) "this has to be the single most tedious dance I have ever come across!". Then the teacher added the twist - it is a canon with a new couple starting every 16 bars! Out of the dust bin and onto a pedestal - well not quite that but certainly into the back pocket as a standard 5C set go-to. The response has been two thumbs up - with a big grin from just about everyone.
The Flower Lady:- Unpublished as far as I can tell. I learned it at Pinewoods from Linda Henderson. (You need a good teacher ? - Hire her! She is clear, precise, concise, has high standards and expectations and, above all, she is gentle. Highly recommended (You couldn't tell I like her so I had to say it, right?)
Back to the dance - It is a Nice one! Well actually a very nice one. Nothing over the top, it has a track figure with a slightly tangy twist. Thumbs up.
Orpington Caledonians:- It been out a couple or three years now and still fun. Still a thumbs up.
The Shetland Shepherdess:- A Ron Wallace production. Which means, sight unseen, I am going to like it. I first met it at the New Haven Highland Ball this past spring and have been using ever since.
A good program opener, good anytime really. How many thumbs? Well certainly one big one, maybe two. Worth the look.
The Lea Rig:- It has been years since I last danced or taught this. I think maybe we over did it and ended up with a case of indigestion. The music, song style strathspey, is lovely, the dance can become tedious. But I woke up to the fact that many of our current dancers have never seen it. Oops.
Toast to the Mousies:-Another David request. It too was on last year's K&G Tea Dance. The dance is good. The music is magnificent - tune by Keith Smith. It lifts you out of your chair and draws you onto the floor. The tune (listening style) is found on the CD Highland Shortbread by Keith and Muriel. A dancing version is found on Spark o' Water - CD by Keith and Muriel - as the lead tune for the dance Norma's Garden.
The Aviator:- 👍 👍- This one is special. It is about flying in tandem and then peeling off to circle in parallel. Timing/phrasing of the tandem half-whole reel of three (with lead change) is critical.
I find that the normal - learned - muscle memory phrasing of the reel works not so well. But cutting the reel by dancing STRAIGHT across or STRAIGHT up and down the center axis of the set makes for better phrasing/synchrony with partner - and you do have to work at it! But oh the joy when you get it right.
Bedrule:- We only have one - no snacking on crackers. :-)) Good basic strathspey. Lots of fun to watch. Written because even though we carefully teach dancers to 'flow' between Right Hands Across
below into Left Hands Across above, invariably 1W transitions with a flip. So the devisor wrote that flip into this dance - and now I watch 1W flow beautifully between the two wheels, without the written in flip! Go figure.
Trip to Timber Ridge:- A Linda Henderson production highlighting the Saltire (twice). IMHO we now have another good/great program ender. (My was I getting tired of Reel of the 51st/Royal Scots/etc. etc.). Two thumbs up!
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Kilts and Ghillies Tea Dance - 28 April 2018
Music by Peter Macfarlane and Susie Petrov - Oh so fabulous!
Program by Sandra Bethray and Peter Price - A Good One!
Pot Luck Finger Food - Scrumptious!!
Ingrid Davis - The Co-ordinator of it All - Superb Job! Thank you!
To all the others who helped and made it work so seamlessly – Thank You!
<<***>> *** <<***>> PROGRAM <<***>> *** <<***>>
The Findlays' Jig – 32 J 3 – Goldring
Fair Donald – 32 S 3 – Bk 29
Scotia Sea – 32 R 3 – Goldring
Muirland Willie – 32 J 3 – Bk 21
The Silver Thistle Ball – 32 S 3/3L – Btwn the Rivers
Toast to the Mousies – 32 R 3 – Gratiot leaflet
Eggemoggin Reach – 32 J 3 – Price leaflet
Asilomar Romantic – 32 S 3 – SF 2
A Reel for Maria – 40 R 3 – McRanor
* * * * *
Chased Lovers – 32 J 3 – Wilson
Topsy Turvy – 32 S 3/3L – Glasspool
Haste Ye Back – 88 R 4 sq – Goldring
Born to Dance – 32 J 3 – Collin
Auld Lang Syne – 32 S 3 – Bk 27
The Mongomeries' Rant – 32 R 3 – Bk 10
The Nurseryman – 32 J 3 – Bk 37
The Clarsah – 32 S 3 – Portland 20th
Da Rain Dancin' – 32 R 3 – Wallace
Program by Sandra Bethray and Peter Price - A Good One!
Pot Luck Finger Food - Scrumptious!!
Ingrid Davis - The Co-ordinator of it All - Superb Job! Thank you!
To all the others who helped and made it work so seamlessly – Thank You!
<<***>> *** <<***>> PROGRAM <<***>> *** <<***>>
The Findlays' Jig – 32 J 3 – Goldring
Fair Donald – 32 S 3 – Bk 29
Scotia Sea – 32 R 3 – Goldring
Muirland Willie – 32 J 3 – Bk 21
The Silver Thistle Ball – 32 S 3/3L – Btwn the Rivers
Toast to the Mousies – 32 R 3 – Gratiot leaflet
Eggemoggin Reach – 32 J 3 – Price leaflet
Asilomar Romantic – 32 S 3 – SF 2
A Reel for Maria – 40 R 3 – McRanor
* * * * *
Chased Lovers – 32 J 3 – Wilson
Topsy Turvy – 32 S 3/3L – Glasspool
Haste Ye Back – 88 R 4 sq – Goldring
Born to Dance – 32 J 3 – Collin
Auld Lang Syne – 32 S 3 – Bk 27
The Mongomeries' Rant – 32 R 3 – Bk 10
The Nurseryman – 32 J 3 – Bk 37
The Clarsah – 32 S 3 – Portland 20th
Da Rain Dancin' – 32 R 3 – Wallace
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
22 May 2018 – New Haven
New Haven Ball: done. Rerr Terr: done. Kilts and Ghillies Tea Dance: done! Pawling: done. Westchester Ball: coming Real Soon Now and I asked but no one was going. ***Freedom***!!!
So what did I do? I taught dances long listed for Next Years Tea Dance. What I am trying to say is - I tried out some dances I have not actually danced or seen danced but heard of or read. And that is dicey business at best because true knowledge only comes when the leather hits the dance floor.
The dances I taught were:
The Findlays' Jig – (32 J 3) – Goldring
Katoomba Mist – (32 R 3) – Charlton/Sydney Down Under
Miss Graham of Dykeside – (32 S 3) – Williamson
Brenda's Jig – (32 J 3) – Coast to Coast (Mulligan)
The Lea Rig – (32 S 2) – 21/5
The Pawling Mermaid – (32 J 3) – Price leaflet
The Waipu Wanderers – (32 R 3) – Eddy West
Border Weavers – (32 S 3 set) – Alex Gray/Tweeddale 2
Trip to Timber Ridge – (32 R 3) – Linda Henderson
‡–––‡ ‡–––‡ ‡–––‡ ‡–––‡ ‡–––‡ ‡–––‡ ‡–––‡ ‡–––‡
The Findlays' Jig:- Well known, and well done, and often. It hasn't yet worn out its welcome.
Katoomba Mist:- By Brian Charlton, in the 'Sydney Down Under Collection'. I have run across a few of his dances but this time I went fishing and landed one. One of the comments was "it's a good one". Simple but with substance to work with. Thumbs up from the dancers.
Miss Graham of Dykeside:- I learned it from the author. His style is inimitable and I don't have it, or the music. So it didn't go over as well in my class as it did in his. I will try again.
Brenda's Jig:- It reads easy. It didn't dance easy. There is nothing there to be a problem. The same dance on a different evening equals a different dance so maybe I will get a different result. I so hope so.
The Lea Rig:- A golden oldie that hasn't been done in a long while here-a-bouts. I find that while the pattern gets tedious, the music never has. Time.
The Pawling Mermaid:- I wrote it. I have a vision. I rarely see it done that way. Harumph! I wrote notes emphasizing what I wanted - ignored! Seriously? I am not breaking any new ground with the choreography that requires tedious teaching. No spaghetti track. No four part harmony with discord (aka meanwhile figure). All I have done is ask that, on bar 6, the Back-to-Back BE a Back-to-Back and that on bar 7 the back-to-back break out into a right shoulder cast back to place. The second time 1st couple's track is easier if they dance by their partner by the right shoulder - i.e. inter-link on the way home. This avoids the "splat, like bug in road" thing.
The Waipu Wanderers:- I have been downloading Eddy West's dances piecemeal for a couple of years. But I have never really studied them. Our Xiaowen (New York City by way of Shanghai, New Zealand and most recently Chicago) gave me a couple of recommendations so I am looking at them. Nothing exotic here, just unknown which does NOT equal difficult or bad.
Border Weavers:- Oh my have I been derelict in my duties. This dance is on the cusp of being standard repertoire in the NY/NJ area but New Haven has not seen it before! Mea culpa!
Oh by the way, they liked it (no surprise - it is a good dance.)
Trip to Timber Ridge:- Hot dance to really hot music!! The tune is in B and that makes it a bear for fiddlers, and we had really good fiddlers at The Pawling Weekend. Was it really just two weekends ago?
Linda Henderson grew up in the county that gave Scotland the Saltire flag and the dance has two representations of the saltire in it.
So what did I do? I taught dances long listed for Next Years Tea Dance. What I am trying to say is - I tried out some dances I have not actually danced or seen danced but heard of or read. And that is dicey business at best because true knowledge only comes when the leather hits the dance floor.
The dances I taught were:
The Findlays' Jig – (32 J 3) – Goldring
Katoomba Mist – (32 R 3) – Charlton/Sydney Down Under
Miss Graham of Dykeside – (32 S 3) – Williamson
Brenda's Jig – (32 J 3) – Coast to Coast (Mulligan)
The Lea Rig – (32 S 2) – 21/5
The Pawling Mermaid – (32 J 3) – Price leaflet
The Waipu Wanderers – (32 R 3) – Eddy West
Border Weavers – (32 S 3 set) – Alex Gray/Tweeddale 2
Trip to Timber Ridge – (32 R 3) – Linda Henderson
‡–––‡ ‡–––‡ ‡–––‡ ‡–––‡ ‡–––‡ ‡–––‡ ‡–––‡ ‡–––‡
The Findlays' Jig:- Well known, and well done, and often. It hasn't yet worn out its welcome.
Katoomba Mist:- By Brian Charlton, in the 'Sydney Down Under Collection'. I have run across a few of his dances but this time I went fishing and landed one. One of the comments was "it's a good one". Simple but with substance to work with. Thumbs up from the dancers.
Miss Graham of Dykeside:- I learned it from the author. His style is inimitable and I don't have it, or the music. So it didn't go over as well in my class as it did in his. I will try again.
Brenda's Jig:- It reads easy. It didn't dance easy. There is nothing there to be a problem. The same dance on a different evening equals a different dance so maybe I will get a different result. I so hope so.
The Lea Rig:- A golden oldie that hasn't been done in a long while here-a-bouts. I find that while the pattern gets tedious, the music never has. Time.
The Pawling Mermaid:- I wrote it. I have a vision. I rarely see it done that way. Harumph! I wrote notes emphasizing what I wanted - ignored! Seriously? I am not breaking any new ground with the choreography that requires tedious teaching. No spaghetti track. No four part harmony with discord (aka meanwhile figure). All I have done is ask that, on bar 6, the Back-to-Back BE a Back-to-Back and that on bar 7 the back-to-back break out into a right shoulder cast back to place. The second time 1st couple's track is easier if they dance by their partner by the right shoulder - i.e. inter-link on the way home. This avoids the "splat, like bug in road" thing.
The Waipu Wanderers:- I have been downloading Eddy West's dances piecemeal for a couple of years. But I have never really studied them. Our Xiaowen (New York City by way of Shanghai, New Zealand and most recently Chicago) gave me a couple of recommendations so I am looking at them. Nothing exotic here, just unknown which does NOT equal difficult or bad.
Border Weavers:- Oh my have I been derelict in my duties. This dance is on the cusp of being standard repertoire in the NY/NJ area but New Haven has not seen it before! Mea culpa!
Oh by the way, they liked it (no surprise - it is a good dance.)
Trip to Timber Ridge:- Hot dance to really hot music!! The tune is in B and that makes it a bear for fiddlers, and we had really good fiddlers at The Pawling Weekend. Was it really just two weekends ago?
Linda Henderson grew up in the county that gave Scotland the Saltire flag and the dance has two representations of the saltire in it.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
24 April 2018 - New Haven
The last class before the Tea Dance and oh my am i ready to put these dances to rest. Well at least for a while. And, for Leslie's sanity and mine, I also taught a couple of 'others'.
Dances taught:
Chased Lovers - (32 J 3) - Wilson
The Clarsach - (32 S 3 set) - Ryer
Scotia Sea - (32 R 3) - Goldring
Autumn Posy - (32 S 2) - Butterfield
The Zoologist - (32 J 3) - 46/12
Muirland Willie - (32 J 3) - 21/9
Eggemoggin Reach - (32 J 3) - Price
°°° °° ° °° °°° °° ° °° °°° °° ° °° °°°
Autumn Posy:- One of those! Such a simple a dance, but so difficult to dance it well. The character of the dance - flow. Each piece is set up by the one before but the dancing has to be impeccable.
The Zoologist:- They liked it! There were four or five thumbs up from the dance floor. That means it is on the short list for Tea Dance2019.
Dances taught:
Chased Lovers - (32 J 3) - Wilson
The Clarsach - (32 S 3 set) - Ryer
Scotia Sea - (32 R 3) - Goldring
Autumn Posy - (32 S 2) - Butterfield
The Zoologist - (32 J 3) - 46/12
Muirland Willie - (32 J 3) - 21/9
Eggemoggin Reach - (32 J 3) - Price
°°° °° ° °° °°° °° ° °° °°° °° ° °° °°°
Autumn Posy:- One of those! Such a simple a dance, but so difficult to dance it well. The character of the dance - flow. Each piece is set up by the one before but the dancing has to be impeccable.
The Zoologist:- They liked it! There were four or five thumbs up from the dance floor. That means it is on the short list for Tea Dance2019.
23 April 2018 - Scotia
Vivian, the 2nd half teacher at Scotia, asked me to teach the dances from the Tea Dance that she didn't know.
Dances taught in the 2nd half were:
By Vivian:
Mr Michael Bear's Reel - (32 R 3) - RSCDS Graded 2
I then taught:
Topsy Turvy - (32 S 3 set) - Glasspool
Born to Dance - (32 J 3) - Collin
Silver Thistle Ball - (32 S 3 set) - Between the Rivers
Eggemoggin Reach - (32 J 3) - Price leaflet
Toast to the Mousies - (32 R 3) - Gratiot leaflet
Dances taught in the 2nd half were:
By Vivian:
Mr Michael Bear's Reel - (32 R 3) - RSCDS Graded 2
I then taught:
Topsy Turvy - (32 S 3 set) - Glasspool
Born to Dance - (32 J 3) - Collin
Silver Thistle Ball - (32 S 3 set) - Between the Rivers
Eggemoggin Reach - (32 J 3) - Price leaflet
Toast to the Mousies - (32 R 3) - Gratiot leaflet
7 April 2018 - Stamford K&G Workshop
Yes, I know these last two posts are out of order, but I saved a whole page in my notebook.
The teaching duties in the workshop was split between Sandra and myself. Again I must have upset the house gremlin because I will swear, to my dying day, that the workshop went to five pm. Not. Only to 4 pm. Oops.
The dances taught were all from the Tea Dance program (duh):
Findlays' Jig - (32 J 3) - Goldring
Da Rain Dancin' - (32 R 3) - Wallace
Topsy Turvy - (32 S 3 set) - Glasspool
A Reel for Maria - (40 R 3) - McRanor (Suncoast)
Scotia Sea - (32 R 3) - Goldring (Scotia Suite)
Silver Thistle Ball - (32 S 3 set) - Between the Rivers
Eggemoggin Reach - (32 J 3) - Price leaflet
The Clarsach - (32 S 3) - Ryer (Portland 20th)
Haste Ye Back - (88 R 4 sq) - Goldring
The teaching duties in the workshop was split between Sandra and myself. Again I must have upset the house gremlin because I will swear, to my dying day, that the workshop went to five pm. Not. Only to 4 pm. Oops.
The dances taught were all from the Tea Dance program (duh):
Findlays' Jig - (32 J 3) - Goldring
Da Rain Dancin' - (32 R 3) - Wallace
Topsy Turvy - (32 S 3 set) - Glasspool
A Reel for Maria - (40 R 3) - McRanor (Suncoast)
Scotia Sea - (32 R 3) - Goldring (Scotia Suite)
Silver Thistle Ball - (32 S 3 set) - Between the Rivers
Eggemoggin Reach - (32 J 3) - Price leaflet
The Clarsach - (32 S 3) - Ryer (Portland 20th)
Haste Ye Back - (88 R 4 sq) - Goldring
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
8 April 2018 - Loch Leven
A video session.
Warmup was Ron Wallace's The Shetland Shepherdess. For music I used Muriel Johnstone's solo piano recording of The High Lodge from her CD Dancing Fingers 2.
We then made videos of
Joie de Vivre - (32 J 3) - Bk 39 (Maarseveen)
Fair Donald - (32 S 3) - Bk 29
J. B. Milne - (32 R 3) - Glendarroch (Foss)
These should be up on YouTube and Strathspey Real Soon Now. They are all on the programs for the Rerr Terr (just past) and/or the Pawling Weekend. And there were no good videos of these dances on Strathspey. And that needed correcting, and if not us then who?
After filming we still had some time available so, having heard good things about the dance, I taught My Golden Bear -- 32 J 3 (Rod Downey - from the new NZ book 'From North Cape to the Bluff').
It went well but there was a quip from the peanut gallery suggesting that it might dance well as a strathspey. Well, we just had to. And Xiaowen was right (as usual) it danced beautifully as a strathspey.
Postscript - she emailed Rod Downey with this tidbit and Rod has written a new strathspey - The Lost Legion - with the same central formation and has started a new book of dances, tentatively titled "book 5".
Warmup was Ron Wallace's The Shetland Shepherdess. For music I used Muriel Johnstone's solo piano recording of The High Lodge from her CD Dancing Fingers 2.
We then made videos of
Joie de Vivre - (32 J 3) - Bk 39 (Maarseveen)
Fair Donald - (32 S 3) - Bk 29
J. B. Milne - (32 R 3) - Glendarroch (Foss)
These should be up on YouTube and Strathspey Real Soon Now. They are all on the programs for the Rerr Terr (just past) and/or the Pawling Weekend. And there were no good videos of these dances on Strathspey. And that needed correcting, and if not us then who?
After filming we still had some time available so, having heard good things about the dance, I taught My Golden Bear -- 32 J 3 (Rod Downey - from the new NZ book 'From North Cape to the Bluff').
It went well but there was a quip from the peanut gallery suggesting that it might dance well as a strathspey. Well, we just had to. And Xiaowen was right (as usual) it danced beautifully as a strathspey.
Postscript - she emailed Rod Downey with this tidbit and Rod has written a new strathspey - The Lost Legion - with the same central formation and has started a new book of dances, tentatively titled "book 5".
28 March 2018 – Westchester Series 3 Party
This was the last 'class' of the third series 3 in Westchester. Party time!
the Program was:
The Twinbairn's Reel - (32 J 2) - Drewry
Miss Gibson's Strathspey - (32 S 3) - RSCDS Leaflet
The Barmkin - (88 R 4 sq) - Goldring
The Duke of Atholl's Reel - (32 J 2) - Bk 16
A Reel for Alice - (32 R 5) - Goldring
The Duchess Tree - (32 S 3) - Drewry
The Shetland Shepherdess - (32 J 3) - Wallace
Tea Break
First Rain of Spring - (32 J 3 set) - Bk 49
Anna Holden's Strathspey - (32 S 2) - Bk 42 (Drewry)
Montgomeries Rant - (32 R 3) - Bk 10
The music:
Unless other wise noted the dances were done to music recorded for that dance. "own".
For The Twinbairn's Reel John Drewry specifies 'Mary Bain's Wedding' as the lead tune. I have only one recording of that tune. It is Muriel Johnstone, Keith Smith and Jim Lindsay playing it as the lead tune for Uncle Bill's Jig on their CD "Moments in Time".
A Reel for Alice:- Recommended Tune is Herriot. I don't have it. Not nowhere. Not even as a part of a medley. I used a 5x version of 'Caddam Wood'. Nice and lively and good fun. Now I need to find a copy of that dance.
The Shetland Shepherdess:- The name tune was composed by Ron Wallace to accompany his dance. There is no recording that I know of so I am reduced to any good jig. I used Tine's Jig another cut from "Moments in Time".
the Program was:
The Twinbairn's Reel - (32 J 2) - Drewry
Miss Gibson's Strathspey - (32 S 3) - RSCDS Leaflet
The Barmkin - (88 R 4 sq) - Goldring
The Duke of Atholl's Reel - (32 J 2) - Bk 16
A Reel for Alice - (32 R 5) - Goldring
The Duchess Tree - (32 S 3) - Drewry
The Shetland Shepherdess - (32 J 3) - Wallace
Tea Break
First Rain of Spring - (32 J 3 set) - Bk 49
Anna Holden's Strathspey - (32 S 2) - Bk 42 (Drewry)
Montgomeries Rant - (32 R 3) - Bk 10
The music:
Unless other wise noted the dances were done to music recorded for that dance. "own".
For The Twinbairn's Reel John Drewry specifies 'Mary Bain's Wedding' as the lead tune. I have only one recording of that tune. It is Muriel Johnstone, Keith Smith and Jim Lindsay playing it as the lead tune for Uncle Bill's Jig on their CD "Moments in Time".
A Reel for Alice:- Recommended Tune is Herriot. I don't have it. Not nowhere. Not even as a part of a medley. I used a 5x version of 'Caddam Wood'. Nice and lively and good fun. Now I need to find a copy of that dance.
The Shetland Shepherdess:- The name tune was composed by Ron Wallace to accompany his dance. There is no recording that I know of so I am reduced to any good jig. I used Tine's Jig another cut from "Moments in Time".
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
27 March 2018 - New Haven
Kilts and Ghillies Ball Prep. (mostly).
The dances taught were:
The Findlays' Jig - (32 J 3) - Goldring
The Clarsach - 32 S 3) - Ryer (Portland)
The Wind Dragon - (32 R 3) - Iain Boyd
Born to Dance - (32 J 3) - Collin
A Reel for Maria - (40 R 3) - McRanor (Suncoast)
Topsy Turvy - (32 S 3 set) - Glasspool
The First Rain of Spring - (32 J 3 set) - Joubert (49/4)
Fair Donald - (32 S 3) - 29/4
^^**^^ ^^**^^ *** * *** ^^**^^ ^^**^^
The Findlays' Jig:- Good dance. Simple dance. Friendly dance. Need I say more?
The Clarsach;- Big oops here. I don't know which gremlin changed the original directions scanned to my computer but one of them did! I know what I read. I can see what it is on the paper now -- and they do not agree. I am not pleased. So the video we made is in error, and I definitely have a mea culpa to make when I reteach the dance tonight (the 24th of April).
The Wind Dragon:- It is growing on me. I originally thought it was an OK throw away that would be good to do once. The response from the dancers has been otherwise. The dancers are liking it. They are liking it enough that I am seriously considering shortlisting it for the 2019 K&G Tea Dance program.
A Reel for Maria:- This one too is growing on me. It isn't in my top 50 but it is certainly going to
go into my card file as one of my "occasionals".
The First Rain of Spring:- A very mixed bag. The first time I taught it the reaction to the Celtic Reel was pure negative energy. Perhaps due to my teaching, perhaps the unfamiliarity of the figure. So it sat for a couple of years. It appeared on the New York Dance List recently so I pulled it out again and this time the teaching was easy as was the dancing and the RSV (redeeming social value) went up.
But still I am ambivalent toward it. It dances well enough but I am not left satisfied, it doesn't fulfill me. But, it might work for you.
The dances taught were:
The Findlays' Jig - (32 J 3) - Goldring
The Clarsach - 32 S 3) - Ryer (Portland)
The Wind Dragon - (32 R 3) - Iain Boyd
Born to Dance - (32 J 3) - Collin
A Reel for Maria - (40 R 3) - McRanor (Suncoast)
Topsy Turvy - (32 S 3 set) - Glasspool
The First Rain of Spring - (32 J 3 set) - Joubert (49/4)
Fair Donald - (32 S 3) - 29/4
^^**^^ ^^**^^ *** * *** ^^**^^ ^^**^^
The Findlays' Jig:- Good dance. Simple dance. Friendly dance. Need I say more?
The Clarsach;- Big oops here. I don't know which gremlin changed the original directions scanned to my computer but one of them did! I know what I read. I can see what it is on the paper now -- and they do not agree. I am not pleased. So the video we made is in error, and I definitely have a mea culpa to make when I reteach the dance tonight (the 24th of April).
The Wind Dragon:- It is growing on me. I originally thought it was an OK throw away that would be good to do once. The response from the dancers has been otherwise. The dancers are liking it. They are liking it enough that I am seriously considering shortlisting it for the 2019 K&G Tea Dance program.
A Reel for Maria:- This one too is growing on me. It isn't in my top 50 but it is certainly going to
go into my card file as one of my "occasionals".
The First Rain of Spring:- A very mixed bag. The first time I taught it the reaction to the Celtic Reel was pure negative energy. Perhaps due to my teaching, perhaps the unfamiliarity of the figure. So it sat for a couple of years. It appeared on the New York Dance List recently so I pulled it out again and this time the teaching was easy as was the dancing and the RSV (redeeming social value) went up.
But still I am ambivalent toward it. It dances well enough but I am not left satisfied, it doesn't fulfill me. But, it might work for you.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Sunday, March 25, 2018
25 March 2018 - Loch Leven
Well, It is a different game now. We are pretty much caught up with videoing dances for upcoming balls. Not completely but the timing is now really tight and life keeps happening, so no I am not going there.
What I have been doing is looking at the upcoming ball programs and looking at the videos. For the dances in the local standard repertoire it is a of pretty miserable set of videos. For good reasons I am sure. They aren't the fancy feel good dances and some have some tricky little pieces. The 6 that I noticed were J.B. Milne; Trip to Bavaria; Delvine Side; Fair Donald; Joie de Vivre and Hooper's Jig.
Issues: a couple of the dances was done in a 3 couple set so it was modified for the performance. One dance had 3 videos but all of them from the same performance from 3 different cameras and not one good view among them. There was bad timing and phrasing. the problem I have with that is sub-conscious learning. Dancers who watch those videos for one reason will pick up subliminal inputs - like bad handing or bad phrasing (esp. in reels of four.) To quote Necron99 "Not Good. Very Bad. Not Good".
So this afternoon we danced all of these dances with the intent to video some of these next meeting. They are part of our repertoire. There should be no issues. No spaghetti choreography to get right or to overwhelm the minds. We should all be able to concentrate on good dancing, and we all know those rules.
What I have been doing is looking at the upcoming ball programs and looking at the videos. For the dances in the local standard repertoire it is a of pretty miserable set of videos. For good reasons I am sure. They aren't the fancy feel good dances and some have some tricky little pieces. The 6 that I noticed were J.B. Milne; Trip to Bavaria; Delvine Side; Fair Donald; Joie de Vivre and Hooper's Jig.
Issues: a couple of the dances was done in a 3 couple set so it was modified for the performance. One dance had 3 videos but all of them from the same performance from 3 different cameras and not one good view among them. There was bad timing and phrasing. the problem I have with that is sub-conscious learning. Dancers who watch those videos for one reason will pick up subliminal inputs - like bad handing or bad phrasing (esp. in reels of four.) To quote Necron99 "Not Good. Very Bad. Not Good".
So this afternoon we danced all of these dances with the intent to video some of these next meeting. They are part of our repertoire. There should be no issues. No spaghetti choreography to get right or to overwhelm the minds. We should all be able to concentrate on good dancing, and we all know those rules.
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
19 March 2018 - Hightstown
No special theme this evening other than - lets have some fun!
The dances I taught were:-
It's Nae Bother - (32 J 2) - Graded 2
Lammermuir Hills - (32 S 2) - Goldring
The Wind Dragon - (32 R 3) - I. Boyd
Johnny's New Jig - (32 J 2) - Kass
Delvine Side - (32 S 3) - Bk 2/9
British Grenadiers - (32 R 3) - MMM
Joe Foster's Jig - (32 J 3/3L) - Noden
Ø -- Ø -- Ø -- Ø -- Ø -- Ø -- Ø -- Ø
It's Nae Bother:- nothing new here. Just a good easy opener/warmer upper.
Lammermuir Hills:- Well, not one of my favourite dances. But when the class has to stretch to get a full set I am lookkng for lots of 2C dances.
The Wind Dragon:- It is getting good reviews from the dancers! They like it!
Johnny's New Jig:- Simple. Two couple dance. What is not to like?
Delvine Side:- Without the music - tedious. With the music - A1 fabulous. And THE definitive recording, in my very not humble at all opinion is on the CD "Ghillies on the Golden Gate" by Fiddlesticks and Ivory.
British Grenadiers:- The dance - very old fashioned. The recording by Jom Lindsay (RSCDS Book 49) makes you want to dance. Thumbs up.
Joe Foster's Jig:-It is a funky fun little dance. I learned this when James Ferguson taught it in Westchester. There was something wrong with the picture. But what. Great little dance, great music. And the music was "Fire in the Rye" from The Music Makars -… oh! Right! That 6x32 bar REEL.
Great music!
The dances I taught were:-
It's Nae Bother - (32 J 2) - Graded 2
Lammermuir Hills - (32 S 2) - Goldring
The Wind Dragon - (32 R 3) - I. Boyd
Johnny's New Jig - (32 J 2) - Kass
Delvine Side - (32 S 3) - Bk 2/9
British Grenadiers - (32 R 3) - MMM
Joe Foster's Jig - (32 J 3/3L) - Noden
Ø -- Ø -- Ø -- Ø -- Ø -- Ø -- Ø -- Ø
It's Nae Bother:- nothing new here. Just a good easy opener/warmer upper.
Lammermuir Hills:- Well, not one of my favourite dances. But when the class has to stretch to get a full set I am lookkng for lots of 2C dances.
The Wind Dragon:- It is getting good reviews from the dancers! They like it!
Johnny's New Jig:- Simple. Two couple dance. What is not to like?
Delvine Side:- Without the music - tedious. With the music - A1 fabulous. And THE definitive recording, in my very not humble at all opinion is on the CD "Ghillies on the Golden Gate" by Fiddlesticks and Ivory.
British Grenadiers:- The dance - very old fashioned. The recording by Jom Lindsay (RSCDS Book 49) makes you want to dance. Thumbs up.
Joe Foster's Jig:-It is a funky fun little dance. I learned this when James Ferguson taught it in Westchester. There was something wrong with the picture. But what. Great little dance, great music. And the music was "Fire in the Rye" from The Music Makars -… oh! Right! That 6x32 bar REEL.
Great music!
Workshop - Canceled!
The New Haven Branch's March 24th Kilts and Ghillies workshop is Canceled!
The competition from the "March for Lives" rallies proved overwhelming.
The competition from the "March for Lives" rallies proved overwhelming.
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
28 February 2018 – Westchester
Even closer to the date, so ball prep!! Yay :-(
I taught these dances:
The Wind Dragon - (32 R 3) - I. Boyd
Twinbairn's Reel - (32 J 2) - Drewry
A Great Day for Dancing - (40 R 3) - Ruby Celebration
City of Belfast - (32 S 3 set) - Bk 48/6
Anna Holden's Strathspey - (32 S 2) - Drewry
The Snake Pass - (32 J 3) - Churnside
ººº ºº º ºº ººº ººº ºº º ºº ººº ººº ºº º ºº ººº
The Wind Dragon:- Another dance that I have had on my bookshelf for 30+ years and this is the first time I have really looked at it and taught it. For experienced dancers a nice wee starter of a dance. Another dance to add to my "quick and dirty" card file to pull out when needed.
A Great Day for Dancing:- Written for the 40th (Ruby) Anniversary of the New Haven Branch and our first teachers Peter and Sue Day. I have no diffuiculty with the dance, but I am a dance monster with all that that implies. So is Leslie and she wrote the dance. I must say that when a dance comes in four colour separateion of dance tracks that it is worth taking a second look and consider the situation.
I have heard comments that the dance doesn't work. This from only a couple of people and not from the majority who would usually notice something like that. But as I have said I have no problem dancing it, but as I also said I am a dance monster. I will have to revisit it and study it to see if the second half reel really is a reel.
The Snake Pass:- Ok, it is a dance. It works (it was good enough to publish). But if I were to have to rank it by value of Redeeming Social Importance I wouldn't give it a high mark. I prefer the double snake passes in Iain Boyd's "The Lords of the Wind". Hands down.
I taught these dances:
The Wind Dragon - (32 R 3) - I. Boyd
Twinbairn's Reel - (32 J 2) - Drewry
A Great Day for Dancing - (40 R 3) - Ruby Celebration
City of Belfast - (32 S 3 set) - Bk 48/6
Anna Holden's Strathspey - (32 S 2) - Drewry
The Snake Pass - (32 J 3) - Churnside
ººº ºº º ºº ººº ººº ºº º ºº ººº ººº ºº º ºº ººº
The Wind Dragon:- Another dance that I have had on my bookshelf for 30+ years and this is the first time I have really looked at it and taught it. For experienced dancers a nice wee starter of a dance. Another dance to add to my "quick and dirty" card file to pull out when needed.
A Great Day for Dancing:- Written for the 40th (Ruby) Anniversary of the New Haven Branch and our first teachers Peter and Sue Day. I have no diffuiculty with the dance, but I am a dance monster with all that that implies. So is Leslie and she wrote the dance. I must say that when a dance comes in four colour separateion of dance tracks that it is worth taking a second look and consider the situation.
I have heard comments that the dance doesn't work. This from only a couple of people and not from the majority who would usually notice something like that. But as I have said I have no problem dancing it, but as I also said I am a dance monster. I will have to revisit it and study it to see if the second half reel really is a reel.
The Snake Pass:- Ok, it is a dance. It works (it was good enough to publish). But if I were to have to rank it by value of Redeeming Social Importance I wouldn't give it a high mark. I prefer the double snake passes in Iain Boyd's "The Lords of the Wind". Hands down.
27 February 2018 - New Haven
Again ball prep. Just four days to the ball.
I taught the following dances:
The Enchanted Castle - (32 J 2) - I. Boyd
The Bonnie Tree - (32 S 3) - Bk 46/6
Bohemian Reflections - (32 R 3) - Bk 51/12
The Twinbairn's Reel - (32 J 2) - Drewry
The Shetland Shepherdess - 32 J 3) - Wallace
City of Belfast - (32 S 3 set) - Bk 48/6
øø øø øøø øø øøø ø øøø øø øøø øø øø
The Enchanted Castle:- It is a little different and it has a 'gotcha' moment. Dancers need to be awake the first time or two but after that it isn't mentally demanding. I am now looking for good music to pair with this dance because I will be teaching it again.
The Bonnie Tree:- The short form -- Nice!! They liked it! The hard part - John Drewry set us up when he put a nice catchy name on the figure - "Half Turn and Twirl" - and he gets what he asks for. That blast 'twirl'. Trying to say it as 'and pulling right shoulders back cast out to the side lines'… Goodness gracious does that slow down the briefing and make life just plain cumbersome.
Bohemian Reflections:- Like circles? You will love this book. This dance, thankfully, doesn't have one. If teaching children a good resource. For the mainstream not very useful. This dance is OK, maybe even the best of the lot. I give it about a 72. (Inside joke from the US's Vietnam War era so don't worry about it if you don't understand the reference.) Boy am I dating myself!!
The Twinbairn's Reel:- A Jig :-)) Reasonably pleasant, reasonably social. Not one of John Drewry's best efforts but certainly worth looking at.
Shetland Shepherdess:- I have a positive knee jerk reaction to any dance written by Ron Wallace, deserved or not. What I thought would be the sticking point, the multiple cross overs, wasn't.
I unfortunately do not have the one existing recording for this dance. Thumbs up.
I taught the following dances:
The Enchanted Castle - (32 J 2) - I. Boyd
The Bonnie Tree - (32 S 3) - Bk 46/6
Bohemian Reflections - (32 R 3) - Bk 51/12
The Twinbairn's Reel - (32 J 2) - Drewry
The Shetland Shepherdess - 32 J 3) - Wallace
City of Belfast - (32 S 3 set) - Bk 48/6
øø øø øøø øø øøø ø øøø øø øøø øø øø
The Enchanted Castle:- It is a little different and it has a 'gotcha' moment. Dancers need to be awake the first time or two but after that it isn't mentally demanding. I am now looking for good music to pair with this dance because I will be teaching it again.
The Bonnie Tree:- The short form -- Nice!! They liked it! The hard part - John Drewry set us up when he put a nice catchy name on the figure - "Half Turn and Twirl" - and he gets what he asks for. That blast 'twirl'. Trying to say it as 'and pulling right shoulders back cast out to the side lines'… Goodness gracious does that slow down the briefing and make life just plain cumbersome.
Bohemian Reflections:- Like circles? You will love this book. This dance, thankfully, doesn't have one. If teaching children a good resource. For the mainstream not very useful. This dance is OK, maybe even the best of the lot. I give it about a 72. (Inside joke from the US's Vietnam War era so don't worry about it if you don't understand the reference.) Boy am I dating myself!!
The Twinbairn's Reel:- A Jig :-)) Reasonably pleasant, reasonably social. Not one of John Drewry's best efforts but certainly worth looking at.
Shetland Shepherdess:- I have a positive knee jerk reaction to any dance written by Ron Wallace, deserved or not. What I thought would be the sticking point, the multiple cross overs, wasn't.
I unfortunately do not have the one existing recording for this dance. Thumbs up.
21 February 2018 - Westchester
Ball Prep - as always.
Upcoming event is the New Haven Highland Ball Weekend.
The dances I taught were:
Class:
It's Nae Bother - (32 J 2) - RSCDS 2nd Graded
Whigmaleeries - (32 R 3) - Imperial
Bob Campbell - (32 S 3) - Drewry
Muirland Willie - (32 J 3) - Bk 21/9
Socially:
Hooper's Jig - (32 J 3) - MMM
Delvine Side - (32 S 3) - Bk 2/9
Mairi's Wedding - (40 R 3) - Cosh
*†* *†* *†* * *†* * *†* * *†* *†* *†*
It's nae Bother:- A Derek Haynes gem. Simple. Gets the blood and grey cells moving. Not too tedious to use on a semi regular basis. That means a thumbs up.
Whigmaleeries:- The flow for third couple is fabulous! For 2nd couple not so great since it is wait, dance, wait, dance. Very well received. Worth a look.
Bob Campbell:- It is an all right dance but not a top 50 dance. The flow is good, it is by John Drewry after all, it is just that I find it moderately tedious. It held my attention the first time I danced it, after that it just didn't sustain my interest. That doesn't mean it is inappropriate for a ball or brunch program but it wouldn't make it onto my short list of choice dances. It might get consideration if I am having trouble and working through my fifth or sixth iteration of a program.
Muirland Willie:- (On the Kilts & Ghillies Tea Dance program). I did this dance a fair bit years ago - early on in my dance career. It is demanding both physically (mostly) and mentally. Not surprisingly it has fallen by the way side. But boy did it get a positive response from the dancers who had never seen it before. The music is great, the energy is great, and it fully engages the mind. In my humble opinion it is due for a return engagement in the standard repertoire.
Upcoming event is the New Haven Highland Ball Weekend.
The dances I taught were:
Class:
It's Nae Bother - (32 J 2) - RSCDS 2nd Graded
Whigmaleeries - (32 R 3) - Imperial
Bob Campbell - (32 S 3) - Drewry
Muirland Willie - (32 J 3) - Bk 21/9
Socially:
Hooper's Jig - (32 J 3) - MMM
Delvine Side - (32 S 3) - Bk 2/9
Mairi's Wedding - (40 R 3) - Cosh
*†* *†* *†* * *†* * *†* * *†* *†* *†*
It's nae Bother:- A Derek Haynes gem. Simple. Gets the blood and grey cells moving. Not too tedious to use on a semi regular basis. That means a thumbs up.
Whigmaleeries:- The flow for third couple is fabulous! For 2nd couple not so great since it is wait, dance, wait, dance. Very well received. Worth a look.
Bob Campbell:- It is an all right dance but not a top 50 dance. The flow is good, it is by John Drewry after all, it is just that I find it moderately tedious. It held my attention the first time I danced it, after that it just didn't sustain my interest. That doesn't mean it is inappropriate for a ball or brunch program but it wouldn't make it onto my short list of choice dances. It might get consideration if I am having trouble and working through my fifth or sixth iteration of a program.
Muirland Willie:- (On the Kilts & Ghillies Tea Dance program). I did this dance a fair bit years ago - early on in my dance career. It is demanding both physically (mostly) and mentally. Not surprisingly it has fallen by the way side. But boy did it get a positive response from the dancers who had never seen it before. The music is great, the energy is great, and it fully engages the mind. In my humble opinion it is due for a return engagement in the standard repertoire.
19 February 2018 - Hightstown
A new group for me. It has been aging, its usual teacher is newly (relatively) married and husband has been reassigned to duty in Colorado (I think that is right). Teaching has become a committee affair and I took on this week.
Since several of the group were planning to attend the Maplewood Workshop that is what I prepped with a few other dances tossed in.
The dances we did were:
The Finlays' Jig - (32 J 3) - Goldring
Orpington Caledonian - (32 R 3) - Bk 49/2
A Summer Meeting - (32 S 3 set) - Bk 48/9
Scott Meikle - 32 R 4) - Bk 46/3
Mrs Stewart's Jig - (32 J 3) - Bk 35/1
Saint John River - 32 S 4) - New Brunswick
General Stuart's Reel - (32 R 3) - Bk 10/3
Since several of the group were planning to attend the Maplewood Workshop that is what I prepped with a few other dances tossed in.
The dances we did were:
The Finlays' Jig - (32 J 3) - Goldring
Orpington Caledonian - (32 R 3) - Bk 49/2
A Summer Meeting - (32 S 3 set) - Bk 48/9
Scott Meikle - 32 R 4) - Bk 46/3
Mrs Stewart's Jig - (32 J 3) - Bk 35/1
Saint John River - 32 S 4) - New Brunswick
General Stuart's Reel - (32 R 3) - Bk 10/3
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
14 February 2018 - Westchester
No dancing on the 7th as the weather was more than atrocious, it was dangerous.
So I did those dances this week.
They were:
Mrs Stewart's Jig - (32 J 3) - Bk 35
A Summer Meeting - (32 S 3/3L) - Bk 48
Bohemian Reflections - (32 R 3) - Bk 51
The Pawling Mermaid - (32 J 3) - Price
The 50th Parallel - (32 R 5) - Zobel & Johnstone
The Cranberry Tart - (32 J 3) - Glasspool
__**__**__***__***__**__***__***__**__**__
Mrs Stewart's Jig:- Done a lot, for good reason. It was an instant classic.
A Summer Meeting:- A nice dance. But OMG the work needed to put the brakes on the dancers in the reels. So many have no clue where half way is and so totally over shoot when rounding the ends. (bad words, many bad words)!
Bohemian Reflections:- One of the best of Book 51. But, if you need a dance with a circle, look no further. Got plenty here.
The Pawling Mermaid:- I started out looking to do something simple and fun but it just kept growing. I think I kept it simple and I hope I found just enough edge to keep it fun. I like the Back-to-Back halfway into a sharp cast.
The 50th Parallel:- I saw the video. I fell in love. Others seem to like it too, and the stepping up sequence/timing is being handled. Three thumbs up for this one. Not on a program yet but I an definitely short listing it for the 2019 K&G Tea Dance. Counts as a Winter Special.
The Cranberry Tart:- We do it a lot and it is still fun!
So I did those dances this week.
They were:
Mrs Stewart's Jig - (32 J 3) - Bk 35
A Summer Meeting - (32 S 3/3L) - Bk 48
Bohemian Reflections - (32 R 3) - Bk 51
The Pawling Mermaid - (32 J 3) - Price
The 50th Parallel - (32 R 5) - Zobel & Johnstone
The Cranberry Tart - (32 J 3) - Glasspool
__**__**__***__***__**__***__***__**__**__
Mrs Stewart's Jig:- Done a lot, for good reason. It was an instant classic.
A Summer Meeting:- A nice dance. But OMG the work needed to put the brakes on the dancers in the reels. So many have no clue where half way is and so totally over shoot when rounding the ends. (bad words, many bad words)!
Bohemian Reflections:- One of the best of Book 51. But, if you need a dance with a circle, look no further. Got plenty here.
The Pawling Mermaid:- I started out looking to do something simple and fun but it just kept growing. I think I kept it simple and I hope I found just enough edge to keep it fun. I like the Back-to-Back halfway into a sharp cast.
The 50th Parallel:- I saw the video. I fell in love. Others seem to like it too, and the stepping up sequence/timing is being handled. Three thumbs up for this one. Not on a program yet but I an definitely short listing it for the 2019 K&G Tea Dance. Counts as a Winter Special.
The Cranberry Tart:- We do it a lot and it is still fun!
31 January 2018 - Westchester
Well, How to describe this late winter situation? What comes to mind is a song by Jean Redpath about the traveling folk in winter when there are no jobs - The Terror Times. I feel like I am there, only it is Ball Prep that presses in. One is done and that leaves five. There was the Maplewood Workshop (Feb. 24). There remains New Haven Highland Ball & Brunch (this coming weekend); The NJ Rerr Terr; The Kilts and Ghillies Tea Dance and The Westchester Ball. This last one is still a work in progress as I haven't heard back from the band and I do count on their input. But looking at all these programs you will note that there are almost no overlap, there just might be as many as two dances that are on more than one program.
So to relieve the tedium I have chosen not to concentrate on the soonest coming ball but to spread my teaching over all the programs and to throw in a 'special' or two for my sanity.
So the dances I taught this night in Westchester:
The 'Cupar' Jig - (32 J 2) - Let's All Dance 1 (Trew)
Davy Nick Nack - (32 H 3) - Campbell
The Bonnie Tree - (32 S 3) - Bk 46 (Butterfield)
Toast to the Mousies - (32 R 3) - Gratiot
The Shetland Shepherdess - (32 J 3) - Wallace
The Barmkin - (88 R 4 sq) - Goldring
Gleneagles - (32 S 3) - Will
**+** **+** *+* + *+* **+** **+**
The "Cupar" Jig:- With the exception of the opening double figure of eight a very basic dance and, surprisingly enough, not too tedious. Good music helps.
Davy Nick Nack:- I like this dance, a lot. But, all too often, the way it is danced makes my stomach acidic. There is a difference between change places giving Right Hands and turning half way with right hands. I have no trouble making and seeing that distinction and in my opinion too often dancers simply change places with their corners. The dance takes on a whole different dimension when it is danced with wide, open turns throughout.
The Bonnie Tree:- I like it. My dancers like it. The flow is impeccable. What not to like? The only piece requiring care are the Half Turn and Cast movements. Getting the necessary hesitation before the cast… I am reminded of the saying about the mule. First you have to hit it between the eyes with a big enopugh stick to get it's attention. Dances love to 'twirl' and just don't hear the 'hesitation ' bit.
The blame belongs to John Drewry. He invented and named the figure, and yes it is a nice catchy name, but what he forgot to take into account is that dancers will do what they are told and not do what they are supposed to do. And I find the temptation to use the short form and not the proper form is overwhelming most of the time - and I get what I asked for. (bad words).
Toast to the Mousies:- Good Dance! Great tune! The tune is available on the eponymous CD by Muriel Johnstone and Keith Smith that accompanies the dance book "Spark o' Water" (from Nova Scotia). Norma's Garden is the track that uses Toast to the Mousies as the lead tune. Two thumbs up from the class and from me.
The Shetland Shepherdess:- from the pen of Ron Wallace who brought us Da Rain Dancin'.
It is a nice one. I thought the multiple crossing would be a challenge to some. I was wrong. Everyone has handled it beautifully. The challenge I have faced has been finding music to fit.
The Barmkin:- The challenge: find fun, simple, square dances in quicktime so I never have to subject myself to Round Reel of Eight ever again. This one works. Definitely simple, fun, and it will, maybe, pass the tedium test. We will see.
Gleneagles:- It has Chain Progression, the Knot, Hello-Goodbte setting, and a half Reel and continuation figure that is kinda fun. On the cusp of being really good but I think it works for some and not for others. Worth looking at.
So to relieve the tedium I have chosen not to concentrate on the soonest coming ball but to spread my teaching over all the programs and to throw in a 'special' or two for my sanity.
So the dances I taught this night in Westchester:
The 'Cupar' Jig - (32 J 2) - Let's All Dance 1 (Trew)
Davy Nick Nack - (32 H 3) - Campbell
The Bonnie Tree - (32 S 3) - Bk 46 (Butterfield)
Toast to the Mousies - (32 R 3) - Gratiot
The Shetland Shepherdess - (32 J 3) - Wallace
The Barmkin - (88 R 4 sq) - Goldring
Gleneagles - (32 S 3) - Will
**+** **+** *+* + *+* **+** **+**
The "Cupar" Jig:- With the exception of the opening double figure of eight a very basic dance and, surprisingly enough, not too tedious. Good music helps.
Davy Nick Nack:- I like this dance, a lot. But, all too often, the way it is danced makes my stomach acidic. There is a difference between change places giving Right Hands and turning half way with right hands. I have no trouble making and seeing that distinction and in my opinion too often dancers simply change places with their corners. The dance takes on a whole different dimension when it is danced with wide, open turns throughout.
The Bonnie Tree:- I like it. My dancers like it. The flow is impeccable. What not to like? The only piece requiring care are the Half Turn and Cast movements. Getting the necessary hesitation before the cast… I am reminded of the saying about the mule. First you have to hit it between the eyes with a big enopugh stick to get it's attention. Dances love to 'twirl' and just don't hear the 'hesitation ' bit.
The blame belongs to John Drewry. He invented and named the figure, and yes it is a nice catchy name, but what he forgot to take into account is that dancers will do what they are told and not do what they are supposed to do. And I find the temptation to use the short form and not the proper form is overwhelming most of the time - and I get what I asked for. (bad words).
Toast to the Mousies:- Good Dance! Great tune! The tune is available on the eponymous CD by Muriel Johnstone and Keith Smith that accompanies the dance book "Spark o' Water" (from Nova Scotia). Norma's Garden is the track that uses Toast to the Mousies as the lead tune. Two thumbs up from the class and from me.
The Shetland Shepherdess:- from the pen of Ron Wallace who brought us Da Rain Dancin'.
It is a nice one. I thought the multiple crossing would be a challenge to some. I was wrong. Everyone has handled it beautifully. The challenge I have faced has been finding music to fit.
The Barmkin:- The challenge: find fun, simple, square dances in quicktime so I never have to subject myself to Round Reel of Eight ever again. This one works. Definitely simple, fun, and it will, maybe, pass the tedium test. We will see.
Gleneagles:- It has Chain Progression, the Knot, Hello-Goodbte setting, and a half Reel and continuation figure that is kinda fun. On the cusp of being really good but I think it works for some and not for others. Worth looking at.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
24 January 2018 - Westchester
Burns Night!
We had only two family members visiting so the program remained mostly easy but experienced friendly.
Findlays' Jig - (32 J 3) - Goldring
Fair Donald - (32 S 3) - Bk 29
Circle of Cheer - (32 R n circle) - Let's All Dance
Shetland Shepherdess - (32 J 3) - Wallace
Silver Tassie - (32 S 3) - Drewry
Shiftin' Bobbins - (32 R 3) - Clowes
The Annual Haggis Bashing
Collie Law - (32 J 2) - Goldring
Adieu Mon Ami - (32 S 3) - Bk 24
Da Rain Dancin' - (32 R 3) - Wallace
We had only two family members visiting so the program remained mostly easy but experienced friendly.
Findlays' Jig - (32 J 3) - Goldring
Fair Donald - (32 S 3) - Bk 29
Circle of Cheer - (32 R n circle) - Let's All Dance
Shetland Shepherdess - (32 J 3) - Wallace
Silver Tassie - (32 S 3) - Drewry
Shiftin' Bobbins - (32 R 3) - Clowes
The Annual Haggis Bashing
Collie Law - (32 J 2) - Goldring
Adieu Mon Ami - (32 S 3) - Bk 24
Da Rain Dancin' - (32 R 3) - Wallace
23 January 2018 - New Haven
Deborah celebrated Burns Night with the Ho-Ho-Kus class of the New Jersey Branch and I provided the neeps. :-)
It is the start of the new season and a busy season it is coming up. Both the New Jersey Branch and the New Haven Branch have 2 events:NJ has a workshop in Maplewood and their usual ball The Rerr Terr; New Haven has it's Highland Ball weekend and the Kilts and Ghillies Tea dance and Westchester has it's ball in early June. That is a lot of ball prep to look forward too…Not!
I decided to ease into it by only doing a bit of ball prep. The Facebook page for the New Haven class indicates they don't need it from me so I am planning on having fun.
The dances I "taught" were:-
It's Nae Bother - (32 J 2) - Haynes
The Duchess Tree - (32 S 3) - Drewry
Scott Meikle - (32 R 4) - 46/3
The "Winter Specials" were:-
The Aviator - (32 J 3) - Fischer
A Trip to Edinburgh - (32 R 4 sq) - Nolan
The Clumsy Lover - (32 R 3) - Aurora 10
Linnea's Strathspey - (32 S 3) - Wilson
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
It's Nae Bother:- Simple. Kind of cute. A nice way to get the muscles geared up for dancing.
The Duchess Tree:- A lovely dance but so often poorly done. Two issues. The main one is the entry into the opening reels. 2C has no issue- they simply cross up to begin. 1C doesn't have a problem either if they simply do a normal cast in the normal time. 3C start the reel by taking 4 bars to cast up into second place. Ya, you betcha! A whole 4 bars but this is where the timing goes wrong -
3C tends to rush the cast and the reel gets real mushy.
The other piece that John Drewry choreographed impeccably is the Set, Circle, Turn, Circle. He tells you that you need to move the Turn along the circle. He is right. (Has he ever been wrong?) What I had tonight was an eye opening moment. I saw a couple of dancers who didn't know how to dance a two hand turn in such a way that it progressed along the circumference. In the press of the moment they couldn't even do a proper turn! And that means it has been Bad Teaching - and I passed the moment by when I could have taken the 30 seconds to demonstrate the point.
Scott Meikle:-I love this dance! Neat simple concept that makes you look up and say "how did I get here?" It has become a standard in the NY/NJ area and however often we have done it, I still like it.
Two thumbs up!
The Aviator:- OMG!! This one literally gives me goose bumps up and down my arms both when I dance it and when I see it danced well covered. Yes, it is that good. So Just Do It.
The music used in our video is by Dave Wiesler and Mara Shea. It is good. The music I prefer is "On the Wings of the Morning" by Keith Smith and Muriel Johnstone's from their CD "Campbell's Birl".
The class loved it too. And they were not adverse to my suggestion that it might show up on the 2019 K&G Tea Dance program.
The Clumsy Lover:- Deborah came home raving, well she wasn't actually raving, but she was very enthusiastic about it. The experiment was repeated here and the result was the same. Enthusiasm.
Another candidate for the 2019 K&G short list.
There is a video but I don't know the music. I talked to a piper and there is a pipe tune of this name.
Would that I could play it so I could hear it. I had to come up with a tune but had nothing quite like what they played on the video - I used City of Stirling Reel/Glencraig SCD Band.
Result of the experiment - enthusiasm and more than one thumbs up from the floor.
Linnea's Strathspey:- Oooh, nice! Highly recommended (as I have said before).
It is the start of the new season and a busy season it is coming up. Both the New Jersey Branch and the New Haven Branch have 2 events:NJ has a workshop in Maplewood and their usual ball The Rerr Terr; New Haven has it's Highland Ball weekend and the Kilts and Ghillies Tea dance and Westchester has it's ball in early June. That is a lot of ball prep to look forward too…Not!
I decided to ease into it by only doing a bit of ball prep. The Facebook page for the New Haven class indicates they don't need it from me so I am planning on having fun.
The dances I "taught" were:-
It's Nae Bother - (32 J 2) - Haynes
The Duchess Tree - (32 S 3) - Drewry
Scott Meikle - (32 R 4) - 46/3
The "Winter Specials" were:-
The Aviator - (32 J 3) - Fischer
A Trip to Edinburgh - (32 R 4 sq) - Nolan
The Clumsy Lover - (32 R 3) - Aurora 10
Linnea's Strathspey - (32 S 3) - Wilson
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
It's Nae Bother:- Simple. Kind of cute. A nice way to get the muscles geared up for dancing.
The Duchess Tree:- A lovely dance but so often poorly done. Two issues. The main one is the entry into the opening reels. 2C has no issue- they simply cross up to begin. 1C doesn't have a problem either if they simply do a normal cast in the normal time. 3C start the reel by taking 4 bars to cast up into second place. Ya, you betcha! A whole 4 bars but this is where the timing goes wrong -
3C tends to rush the cast and the reel gets real mushy.
The other piece that John Drewry choreographed impeccably is the Set, Circle, Turn, Circle. He tells you that you need to move the Turn along the circle. He is right. (Has he ever been wrong?) What I had tonight was an eye opening moment. I saw a couple of dancers who didn't know how to dance a two hand turn in such a way that it progressed along the circumference. In the press of the moment they couldn't even do a proper turn! And that means it has been Bad Teaching - and I passed the moment by when I could have taken the 30 seconds to demonstrate the point.
Scott Meikle:-I love this dance! Neat simple concept that makes you look up and say "how did I get here?" It has become a standard in the NY/NJ area and however often we have done it, I still like it.
Two thumbs up!
The Aviator:- OMG!! This one literally gives me goose bumps up and down my arms both when I dance it and when I see it danced well covered. Yes, it is that good. So Just Do It.
The music used in our video is by Dave Wiesler and Mara Shea. It is good. The music I prefer is "On the Wings of the Morning" by Keith Smith and Muriel Johnstone's from their CD "Campbell's Birl".
The class loved it too. And they were not adverse to my suggestion that it might show up on the 2019 K&G Tea Dance program.
The Clumsy Lover:- Deborah came home raving, well she wasn't actually raving, but she was very enthusiastic about it. The experiment was repeated here and the result was the same. Enthusiasm.
Another candidate for the 2019 K&G short list.
There is a video but I don't know the music. I talked to a piper and there is a pipe tune of this name.
Would that I could play it so I could hear it. I had to come up with a tune but had nothing quite like what they played on the video - I used City of Stirling Reel/Glencraig SCD Band.
Result of the experiment - enthusiasm and more than one thumbs up from the floor.
Linnea's Strathspey:- Oooh, nice! Highly recommended (as I have said before).
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